Tourism, Heritage and Socio-Spatial Historical Cities Transformations. The case of Paraty

Abstract

Objective of this paper is to present a methodological proposal for the study of transformations undergone by the so called historical cities after it became a heritage place used for tourism. This approach is grounded on theories of Geography, Sociology, Urban Planning, Art History and Tourism. This study consider culture as commodity as elaborated by David Harvey, which generate economical leverages and rents. However, indiscriminate and misguided use of this rent may cause a reverse effect, resulting on its loss. This process may be used to analyze cities with significant architectural and historical patrimony used as a touristic attraction. At first It may cause economic growth but afterwards loss of attractiveness. The city chosen was Paraty, located on the southern coast of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro and since its conversion to National Monument, in 1966, with an improved access, it began to receive lots of tourists and important transformations.