Desenvolvimento urbano e turismo: uma análise da dinâmica urbana em Jequiá da Praia, Alagoas

Abstract

This dissertation is based on the assumption that the issue of development is beyond process of achieving economic development. In this perspective, sustainable development approaches have being considered as part of a continuum mechanism that aims at promoting social justice though development in order to pursue a better quality of life for all inhabitants. Tourism is seen as an alternative for the economic development of many places, as the case of Alagoas state indicates, by adopting an expansion of tourism to the Southern seashore, a region where Jequiá da Praia is situated. The rationale for choosing Jequiá da Praia is based on several transformations related to the construction of a tourist complex, coupled with the growth of smaller hotel units, new development sites, and housing neighborhoods, occupying previous coconut plantation areas, which are potentially developed for new resorts. Taking into consideration that tourism is a social activity, it can be related to the development of tourist towns, therefore, the purpose of this work is to analyze the relationship between urban development and tourism with an emphasis the case of Jequiá da Praia, Alagoas. In order to address the implications of the development of tourism actions in the study area through the implementation of new developments, several field visits were made, maps and other documents were revised and pictures were taken, as well as data were gathered through semi-structured interviews were held with developers, population, public sector personnel, to gather information specific information related to tourism in the region. The findings suggest the existence of potential negative and positive impacts related with tourism. The study presents that the implementation of tourism in Jequiá da Praia has not been implemented coupled with the delivery of the necessary urban infrastructure and the necessary precautions for the promotion of inclusive strategies. A crucial finding is related with the implementation of the AL 101 Sul in 1992, which has propelled the attraction of further investments in the field of tourism for the whole Southern Coast of Alagoas State. The investments made so far in the area of study have influenced the transformation of agrarian land use into urban almost without a direct control on the part of the municipality of Jequiá da Praia, being highly dependent on local economic activities existent the region. The main aspect raised in this study is related to the sustainable development of Brazilian tourist towns, to take advantage of the potential combination of tourism and urban development, taking into consideration the economic, social, environmental and institutional aspect of development, as well as the improvement of the quality of life and the urban infrastructure in the tourist towns.