Patrimônio cultural na região metropolitana de São José do Rio Preto (SP): diagnóstico territorial e análise das políticas públicas

Abstract

The intensification of urbanization and metropolitanization in Brazil has led to socio-spatial changes and the emergence of new urban demands, including growing concern with cultural and historical heritage assets, which culminated in a national heritage-making process. Contemporary society draws upon the past to shape its identity in the present, selecting and aligning memories with current values and objectives, so that cultural heritage encompasses diverse dimensions and principles, expressed through both tangible and intangible forms. This research aims to analyze the cultural heritage of the Metropolitan Region of São José do Rio Preto (MRSJRP) through a territorial diagnosis and an analysis of public preservation policies, seeking to understand the spatial distribution of cultural heritage assets, the existing protection instruments, and the challenges associated with heritage management at the metropolitan scale. The research is justified by the need to bring together the agendas of metropolitan planning and cultural heritage preservation, which have historically been addressed separately. In this context, the bibliometric analysis identified an increase in scientific production on heritage and metropolitan regions over the past five years and points to a research gap that remains insufficiently explored. The methodological strategy adopted consists of a case study and a qualitative approach, combined with theoretical and empirical research and cartographic analysis. These procedures enabled an understanding of the socio-spatial dynamics within which the region's cultural heritage assets are embedded. The results demonstrate that, although administrative structures dedicated to culture exist, mechanisms for the recognition, preservation, and protection of cultural heritage in the municipalities of the metropolitan region remain insufficient and fragmented. Challenges in urban legislation and limited social participation hinder the integration of heritage preservation, urban planning, and regional development, highlighting the need for more integrated cultural public policies that are responsive to the territorial specificities of the MRSJRP.