Expansão urbana e ilegalidade: o caso da comunidade da Portelinha, em Caratinga-MG

Abstract

Brazilian urbanization occurred at an accelerated rate, generating many consequences in urban, peri-urban and rural spaces. Some of these consequences can be observed in the municipality of Caratinga, located in the east of Minas Gerais. This work highlights a specific region of this municipality, the community of Portelinha, which developed on the banks of a rural road and which, along time, consolidated and acquired some urban characteristics. Despite this, the municipal government does not act with public policies for this region, under the allegation that it is an irregular occupation. The objective of this work is to analyze the physical-territorial characteristics of Portelinha in the period between 2003 (beginning of occupation) and 2023. For this purpose, an exploratory-descriptive methodology is used, including bibliographical research; identification of documentary basis; data collection and on-site observations; secondary data collection and analysis of the data collected. The study identified that the process of involuntary segregation is intensified in the region, despite investments in urban infrastructure in its neighborhood.