Notes on the intraurban centrality in Ribeirão Preto – SP

Abstract

In this article we analyze the density and concentration of commercial activities and services in Ribeirão Preto – SP as an indicator of the intra-urban centrality of this city. We demonstrate that the city has multiple central areas along the urban fabric, without the main center losing its ability to play an important role in structuring the urban space. The pair deconcentration – reconcentration is central to the understanding of this theme, because from it we can interpret the new concentrations as part of socio-spatial processes. The role played by shopping centers is highlighted in this text and, based on the results achieved, we established hypotheses about the role played by these large commercial enterprises. Regarding urban centrality, sometimes shopping centers reinforce the centrality exercised by the main center, sometimes we observe a tendency to be located outside the main center, which we can infer as part of the process of redefining urban centrality. We reserve special attention to the methodological aspects developed during our research, especially in the formation of the database, built from the National Register of Addresses for Statistical Purposes (CNEFE) and the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE).