The urbanization process in the largest metropolitan area of minas gerais through the rivers and railways paths

Abstract

This paper examines the urbanization process of the largest metropolitan region in Minas Gerais, Brazil, situated between mountainous terrain and the Velhas River Valley. Historically significant, this area links key urban centers from Brazil's colonial gold era and the 19th-century industrial period. The research delves into the historical importance of the Velhas River Valley as a crucial route through the Iron Quadrangle, rich in gold, iron ore, and water. The later establishment of the railroad along this valley cemented its role as a developmental axis. This study highlights the significant influence of waterways and railways in forming the primary metropolitan area of Minas Gerais, currently the third largest in Brazil with a population exceeding 5 million. The paper begins with the colonization and territorial expansion in Minas Gerais, emphasizing the natural river routes and strategic railway placements that determined the locations of main urban centers. It then transitions to the era of Brazilian development driven by road systems, noting the decline of railroads, which once underpinned transportation and growth. This shift not only altered urbanization but also negatively impacted the region's socio-environmental quality. The paper critically evaluates the transition from rail to road, noting the deterioration of socio-environmental cohesion and the resulting fragmentation and territorial disorder in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte.