A logística de transportes enquanto ajuste espacial: Regiões intermediárias geoestratégicas no Brasil e na França na articulação de seus blocos econômicos

Abstract

This doctoral thesis centers on the application and interpretation of the concept of spatial adjustment as proposed by David Harvey (2005), through the investigation of two geostrategically significant intermediary regions where logistics has played a pivotal role in territorial organization since the 1970s, within the context of globalization. The study examines the geographical context of intermediary regions where fixed assets and flows, coupled with geostrategic logistics projects, facilitate the establishment of a comparative framework between Brazil and France. Specifically, it delves into the analysis of these regions to establish a comparative scale that enhances the understanding of logistical approaches between Brazil and France. The chosen nation-states, Brazil and France, have developed state projects related to contemporary logistics across their territories, positioning them as crucial actors in the articulation of their respective economic blocs: Mercosur and the European Union. By employing a comparative and multi-scalar methodology, this study underscores significant divergences and convergences in aspects related to the design of transportation networks and the impact of logistics on their territories. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing two specific geographical contexts to comprehend this relationship within the framework of globalization: the administrative region of Hauts-de-France in France and an intermediary region between the Federal District and Minas Gerais in the interior of Brazil, selected for their representative characteristics within each country. In this context, transport logistics emerges as a critical factor in understanding the geopolitical strategies of these countries within Mercosur and the European Union. The comparative analysis of the intermediary regions of Brazil and the Hauts-de-France region in France illustrates how national policies manifest across various scales and themes, highlighting their geostrategic affinities despite distinct territorial configurations within the globalization context. From this perspective, the logistics projects developed in Brazil and France are directly linked to the geostrategies aimed at strengthening their economic blocs and the imperative for integration within the globalized economy, consequently fostering the establishment and construction of modernizing infrastructures. The hypothesis of applying the concept of spatial adjustment to transport logistics is predicated on the notion that territory is (re)shaped in this process through the planned organization of spaces by various stakeholders, including hegemonic actors, transnational corporations, the state, and civil society. The infrastructures created have invigorated regional centers and productive sectors, bolstered their economic blocs, and augmented capital accumulation. Moreover, for the state, this geostrategy corresponding to spatial adjustment serves as an instrument of Territorial Planning, as it reinforces the role of these regions in mediating and facilitating logistical flows between central regions, promoting infrastructures and logistical projects geared towards integration and efficiency in the circulation of goods and services. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.