Simbiose urbana: produção do espaço e morfologia urbana de Montes Claros-MG

Abstract

Form is the hallmark of human composition. The form deals with the physical aspect of objects and beings, pointing to the physical condition from which a body is configured. The different forms mark, build, constitute history. In the evolution of cities this is no different. Urban forms are the basis for processes and for the history of cities. Starting from its etymology, the expression “form” becomes morphology, which addresses the study of form and, linked to the term urban, encompasses a series of processes that transform the built mass, producing the urban space. Like the expression morphology, symbiosis is a term that comes from biology and associates living beings that receive benefits, even if in unequal proportions. And what are cities if not the connection of parts that need to live in harmony even under unequal conditions? Within this scope, the central theme of this study is born: urban symbiosis from the production of space and urban morphology of Montes Claros, with the central objective of analyzing the morphological attributes of Montes Claros, its relationship with commercial subcenters and its impacts on urban design from the city; and for specific objectives: (i) identify the urban form of the city in a historical perspective; (ii) survey the morphological and urbanistic attributes of the city and its relationship with schools of urban morphology; (iii) analyze the dynamics of the urban morphology of Montes Claros from its morphological attributes and (iv) correlate the morphological elements presented to the seven existing commercial sub-centers. The methodological path was based on exploratory research, divided into bibliographical, documental and field research; definition of the investigated morphological elements; mapping of defined morphological elements, analysis and systematization of results. From the morphological categories investigated, through cartographic analysis, it was possible to identify that Montes Claros followed the constitution of its urban design from the precepts of the Italian school of morphology, retracing the steps of the first cities in Minas Gerais. The accelerated growth of the city and the public incentives offered, led Montes Claros to structure itself for its inhabitants and for the residents of neighboring towns who have support in tertiary sector activities in the city, with emphasis on health and education services. The functional morphological zoning map presents the consequences of this role, highlighting the expansion of the urban fabric in a radial pattern; peripherization – from the growth of closed subdivisions and social housing; the expansion of public and industrial services; the search for the preservation of the environment that had been degraded; the growth of disconnection from the urban fabric through urban voids and the consolidation of the city’s central core and commercial sub-centers. Given the scenario presented, Montes Claros is considered a City of Regional Command, which undergoes intense mutations and is currently expanding its urban area to the north, northeast and east regions, with a strong involvement of real estate developers.