Current challenges for small town/localities in the Intermediate Region of Maringá – Paraná

Abstract

The contemporary context requires urgent and emergent reflections on small towns/localities, especially in the wake of the pandemic. This period from 2020 to 2022 has caused changes that may not yet be sufficiently measured and understood. As a result, new questions have emerged about the direction of urbanization. In this sense, the question wich guides this article is to understand what trends can be observed in the reality of small towns/localities related to the advance of this scenario. Guided by this question, the aim of the article was to reflect on the prospects for small towns/localities in the face of contemporary obstacles. In order to accomplish this task, the methodological procedures adopted were a literature review and a survey of socio-economic data from the small towns/localities in the Maringá Intermediate Region.  Three sections were developed to systematize the current challenges. Firstly, we reflect on the Brazilian urbanization process and small towns/localities in a context that minimally considers issues brought about by the pandemic. Subsequently, we address the challenges peculiar to geographically peripheral areas. We have tried to analyze this socio-spatial reality with the support of indicators such as GDP per capita, as opposed to the Gini index, which helps to measure socio-spatial inequalities. Finally, we have outlined some perspectives, bringing ideas and considerations from authors who are also looking for ways forward in the face of current challenges. We understand that in the face of new challenges, it seems pertinent to consider that there is potential in small towns/localities that can contribute to the production of a more humane, socially less unequal and environmentally sustainable socio-spatial reality.