Metro Expansion in the City of Rio de Janeiro: Representations and Conflicts

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the current metro expansion process in the city of Rio de Janeiro, represented by the building of Line 4. This line is responsible for the connection of the south portion of the city to Barra da Tijuca (in the west). We use two analytical categories to guide the approach to this process: the representations and conflicts expressed by both the inhabitants of expansion-affected neighborhoods and metro system users. It focuses on the social representations about public spaces constructed by subjects in both “self-other” and “public-private” relations and their specificities inherents in the Brazilian case. On the other hand, the urban conflicts are approached from the trend for claims about social and cultural acknowledgement. In general, the results suggest a meaningful separation between both studied sample groups, and also a greater organization ability and notoriety of the conflicts involving the inhabitants of expansion-affected neighborhoods.