Characteristics of Sao Paulo State Industry during the 1990s: Toward a City Region?

• Published in: Revista de sociologia e política no. 18; pp. 73 - 93
• Main Authors: Matteo, Miguel, Tapia, Jorge Ruben Biton
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01.06.2002
• Subjects: Global Cities; Industrial Development; Regional Development; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Spatial Analysis; World Economy
• ISSN: 0104-4478

International literature discussing the transformation of countries, territories, & firms brought about by economic globalization & the dissemination of new information technologies has presented some hypotheses that maintain the emergence of new economic & territorial configurations known as "global cities" or "city regions." The latter reflect a new dynamic based on networks of actors involved in intense flows of knowledge & technology, as well as increased abilities for institutional learning. In this paper we discuss such hypotheses in light of experiences in the Sao Paulo state economy, considering whether processes of "expanded reconcentration" can be accommodated within the concepts of global city & city region. In addition to the mentioned perspectives, we also examine & take support, in theoretical terms, from the propositions of authors affiliated with the regulationist school. Through a critical reading of these currents, we develop the notion that, precisely due to changes occurring in the economy of the state of Sao Paulo during the 1990s, there was a spatial concentration of industry, which, although demonstrating some aspects associated with the economic spatial configurations known as city regions, has noticeable & significant differences. For this reason, this movement of "expanded reconcentration," marked by the heavy predominance of the Greater Sao Paulo (including therein the region known as the ABC) & surrounding regions (Campinas, Sao Jose dos Campos, Santos e Sorocaba) cannot be characterized as a regional dynamic connected with networks of global cities & disconnected from the rest of the Brazilian economy. Furthermore, unlike the international literature that discusses the emergence of global cities, we cannot associate the mentioned changes with a virtual substitution of the secondary sector by the service sector. 5 Tables, 2 Graphs, 31 References. Adapted from the source document.