Cidade que (ex)pulsa: reterritorialização no Petrópolis de deslocados pelo desastre da Braskem em Maceió-AL

Abstract

This paper discusses the reterritorialization in the Petrópolis neighbourhood in Maceió, the capital of the state of Alagoas, of those forcibly displaced as a result of the ground subsidence caused by the technological disaster caused by the mining of rock salt by the petrochemical company Braskem. The discussion arises from the moment that more than 57,000 people were forced to vacate their homes in an urban area of around 274 hectares, corresponding to five neighborhoods in the city: Bebedouro, Bom Parto, Mutange, Farol and Pinheiro. That said, the aim of this work is to understand the sociospatial aspects of the reterritorialization in Petrópolis of those displaced by the Braskem disaster, in line with critical reflections on the future of the production and regulation of urban space in Maceió-AL. To this end, the following methodological procedures were adopted: literature review, analysis of terms and agreements signed between the company and the government, analysis of studies contracted by Braskem to diagnose and mitigate the impacts of subsidence, mapping and on-site visits to characterize the neighbourhood and semi-structured interviews with the population that moved from the area at risk. Since then, there have been effects that have led to the curtailment of neighborhood ties, work relationships and impacts on mobility and housing conditions that demonstrate the importance of territoriality for those affected by disasters and forced to move, since these change their socio-spatial relations. Understanding these dynamics calls into question aspects related to urban development and the quality of life offered in the city, demonstrating the urgency of rethinking urban planning and management.