A Configuração do circuito inferior da economia urbana nos dias de visita no complexo prisional de Charqueadas-RS.

Abstract

The municipality of Charqueadas was emancipated from São Jerônimo in 1982. Before its emancipation, the municipality already had two prisons, but it was afterwards that the process that gave rise to what is now a prison complex began, and the municipality now has eight prisons. With the construction of the prison complex, there has been a commuter movement of family members and street vendors on visiting days, especially at weekends, who become consumers in local commerce, stimulating an increase in sales for suppliers of products and services, both direct and outsourced, necessary for the operation of the penitentiaries. This research was based on the theory of the Two Circuits of the Urban Economy, proposed by Milton Santos in the 1970s. The purpose of this research was to analyze the configuration of the lower circuit of the urban economy on visiting days at the Charqueadas prison complex. Emphasis was placed on the lower circuit, made up of small-scale economic activities such as small businesses and services, freelance vendors, street vendors, among others, which have more influence on a local and regional scale and, in this case, are more relevant to the area of Regional Development. Visiting day was analyzed because it is a specific event and because of the number of prisoners in the municipality, which is reflected in the number of visits and the flow of people in the city and around the prison complex. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with five owners of establishments in the following sectors: a Minimarket and Restaurant; a Bar, Warehouse and Inn; a Transport Company; an app-based transportation service provider; and a Restaurant, Snack Bar and Inn. Considering the objectives of this research, it can be concluded that they were achieved. The activities of the lower circuit of the urban economy on visiting days at the Charqueadas prison complex were identified and characterized, highlighting their relevance to the municipality and especially to the enterprises, predominantly micro-enterprises and individual micro-entrepreneurs, which make practically all their sales and turnover on these days. These businesses, classified and included in the Lower Circuit of the Urban Economy, express the relevance of this circuit in the municipality, highlighting the relevance of this study.