Dinâmicas simbólicas, socioeconômicas e infraestruturais do Mercado Popular Urbano de Franca-SP

Abstract

The Urban Popular Market of Franca, São Paulo, Brazil was established by law no. 5,100 of November 1998, with the aim of regulating the commercial activities of self-employed professionals and street vendors. Historically, markets emerged around churches, where the population's daily practices, economic activities, exchanges and fairs took place. In the context of the Urban Popular Market, activities are regulated to operate in public spaces, which can be understood as an environment for socialization, meetings and the expression of different social, cultural and political groups. Considering the importance of the Urban Popular Market for traders who obtain their income and survival from the activities carried out, the infrastructure issues and the affection present in this location, the area was chosen to carry out a study on its symbolic, socioeconomic and infrastructural dynamics. In this sense, the objective of this study is to conduct an investigation into the role and relevance of the Urban Popular Market of Franca, São Paulo, Brazil. Specific objectives include: 1) Understanding the socio-economic and symbolic aspects; 2) Understanding where the Popular Market fits into the economic circuit; and 3) Verifying and evaluating the physical infrastructure of the town squares that make up the studied area, to optimize commercial functioning. To this end, a set of methodological procedures were carried out, these being: A) bibliographic research; B) field data collection with questionnaires, interviews and reports; and C) desk work for data analysis and creation of cartographic documents, including location maps. As a result, it was found that the Urban Popular Market of Franca is inserted into the lower circuit of the urban economy, characterized mainly by the low income of most of its workers, whose primary aim is survival and the trade of diversified goods, from handicrafts to cheap, imported and counterfeit goods. On a symbolic level, a deep emotional bond was observed between workers and visitors to the area, where relationships of dispute and cooperation were observed. Finally, it is hoped that the study will contribute to improving the working conditions of traders as well as improving the quality of services provided at the Franca Popular Market, highlighting its socioeconomic and symbolic relevance for the local community.