Paper short abstract:

We discuss the conflicts emerged from the overlapping of some spatial practices of Brazilian “roofless” movement (“sem-teto”) and the reproduction practices of the real estate market on two urban fronts in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro’s metropolis: periurban fringes and central obsolescence zones.

Paper long abstract:

In Brazilian metropolis, the global increasing spatial segregation receives the contours of a socio-political fragmentation of space, differing and articulating the diffusion of the self-segregation with aspects related to the violent criminality. The conflictive character of the urban space production is highlighted in both spaces considered as main fronts of expansion of real estate market practices oriented to expand its capital reproduction: the new urban expansion areas (periurban fringe), and the "renewed" obsolescence zones. However, most part of the actions of urban social movements concerned with social housing take place exactly in these areas. The strong sense of spatial selectivity on the spatial practices of the organizations that compose the sem-teto movement (literally: "roofless" movement) in Brazil is also associated with current internal organization of Brazilian metropolis. Our work seeks to reflect, therefore, about some spatial tactics adopted by this social movement in face of some real estate market practices. We are based on a key case study and an auxiliary "contrast" case, respectively focusing on: the spatiality of four building occupations in Rio de Janeiro's city centre initiated by one organization called Frente de Luta Popular (FLP); and some spatial practices of another organization (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem-Teto - MTST) that take place in São Paulo. Finally, we raise some challenges of the practices of this social movement, regarding the location of their actions.