A Situação geográfica singular e os papéis de intermediação na rede urbana: uma análise da inserção de Anápolis/GO no arranjo urbano-regional

Abstract

The geographic situation of Anápolis (State of Goiás, Brazil) – which has a point of singularity in the insertion, in the urban-regional arrangement of Brasília/Anápolis/Goiânia – allows this center to assume complementary roles to those of Goiânia and Brasília, metropolises with which it maintains more direct relationships. The technical density present in Anápolis and the functions they perform in the urban network mean that such a regional center guarantees independence in the territorial division of labor and plays roles of regional intermediation, despite its proximity to two metropolises. It should be added that, in the second quarter of the 20th century, Anápolis was the most dynamic center of the goianotocantinense territory, currently, its area of influence is reduced and, in a way, “shadowed” by the centrality exercised by the metropolises of Brasília and Goiânia. This proximity could immediately “erode” the centrality exercised by Anápolis; however, on the contrary, it has streamlined spatial interactions in this and with this regional center, from the implantation of capital cities (state and federal) to the present day – in which the internationalization of its economy is intensified through the sector productive. Given this condition, the objective of the work was to analyze in what terms the geographical situation of Anápolis would allow, or restrict, this urban center to play regional roles. As methodological procedures, a bibliographic review, data collection on digital platforms and printed files, field work (visits and on-site observation and photographic records), mapping and interviews with wellinformed agents were carried out. Regarding the analysis of productive activities and the trade and services sectors, surveys were carried out regarding the origin of the capital installed in Anápolis, in order to verify with which places, near or far, this urban center has maintained interactions. In relation to the services sector, specifically those of health and higher education, data that have as a source, mainly, DATASUS and e-MEC were used to demonstrate how the offer of these services is quantitatively and qualitatively superior in Anápolis, regarding the supply verified in the immediate region where the municipality is inserted. The notion of geographic situation, from the perspective addressed in this research, proved to be a valid methodological way to evaluate, in the light of relationships on multiple scales, the redefinition of the roles of urban centers in terms of globalization. In the case of this medium-sized city, its relative location meets the vectors of the so-called verticalities, especially those related to industrial activity and logistics. This characteristic increases the subordination of Anápolis to the command of economic agents that operate on broader scales, which reinforces the logic of interscalar spirals (heterarchy) and the increasing presence in Anápolis, of companies whose interests are alien to this regional center. Relative location also serves vectors of the so-called horizontalities, which are combined with those of verticalities, given the characteristic of inseparability of the dialectical pair. With regard to contiguity relations, Anápolis differs quantitatively and qualitatively: i) in the immediate region, by more significant offer of products and services, and ii) in the urban-regional arrangement, by offer of products and services, significantly lower, than that seen in the metropolises of Goiânia and Brasília, which have, especially in the trade and services sector, greater economic representation.