The neglect by public authorities of the Barroquinha and the Baixa de Sapateiros regions in the city of Salvador (BA)

Abstract

The Barroquinha and Baixa de Sapateiros regions has been undegoing, over the decades, a process of urban, cultural, and economic decline, intensified by a series of decisions made by public administrators in recent decades. The policies initiated in the 1990s, aimed at the redevelopment of the historic center and intended to mitigate the conditions of deterioration and abandonment, were marked by a market-oriented approach, grounded in expectations of the economic returns such investments could generate. Consequently, the revitalization programs ultimately exacerbated other issues, such as gentrification, real estate speculation, and the deepening of social inequalities. With the region already in a vulnerable condition, the removal of bus routes further aggravated the situation by restricting the mobility of the population that frequented the local commerce, predominantly composed of low-income residents from adjacent neighborhoods. In order to identify the principal causes and challenges faced by the territory, a bibliographic and documentary survey was conducted regarding the history and public policies implemented in the area, complemented by newspaper articles, field notes, and interviews with residents. Following the analysis of the collected data, it was concluded that the mobility and redevelopment policies adopted in recent decades proved to be fragmented and disconnected from local needs, ultimately contributing to the devaluation of the territory.