Organização espacial: caracterização das dinâmicas espaciais e econômicas da região imediata de Nova Prata -Guaporé/RS relacionadas aos aspectos culturais

Abstract

The Geographical Sciences are characterized by the constant search for re-reading their concepts and paradigms. For this purpose, the researcher needs to analyze how the Geographic Space is organized and reorganized, and how this reorganization of space impacts the society that occupies it. Considering the nature/society relationship, it is important to take into consideration the influence that the peoples who inhabit a certain physical space have on the organization of this space. These groups tend to organize and reorganize themselves according to the natural aspects offered to them by the space being occupied. The state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) is characterized by having been strongly colonized by European immigrants, mainly from present-day Italy and Germany. Based on this statewide analysis, and as a way to delimit a study area in the Serra Gaucha region (Gaucho Highlands), we decided to elect the Immediate Region of Nova Prata - Guaporé as the territorial unit under research. This doctoral dissertation aims to analyze and understand the way in which the spatial organization and the spatial and economic dynamics of the Immediate Region of Nova Prata - Guaporé took place, taking into account the cultural aspects present in it. In this regard, our general objective is to analyze the spatial and economic dynamics that took place in the Immediate Region of Nova Prata - Guaporé/RS, considering the cultural aspects of each municipality, from colonization to contemporary times. We outlined four specific objectives: a) to characterize the economy of the Immediate Region of Nova Prata - Guaporé; b) to investigate in which way the cultural marks present in the Immediate Region influenced its spatial dynamics; c) to identify the processes of spatial (re)organization that took place in the municipalities of the IR; and d) to analyze the spatial differentiation among the municipalities of the IR from the link between economy and culture. Methodology-wise, the research was divided into four stages. The first stage consisted of consolidating the theme and defining the research problem, as well as the bibliographical search. The second stage involved data collection from secondary sources. The third stage was the field work, in which the 14 municipalities that make up the IR were visited. The fourth and last step consisted of analyzing the results obtained. With the completion of this work, we conclude that culture played an important role in the spatial and economic organization of the Immediate Region of Nova Prata - Guaporé. Yet, today this Immediate Region is perceived only in its immateriality, bringing values and customs to the new spatial dynamics, which is based on economic issues