Da lei nasce a urbes: a atuação da Câmara Municipal na organização do espaço urbano acariense (1833-1889)

Abstract

The process of occupation and formation of the first urban centers in Seridó Potiguar was a complex phenomenon, influenced by a variety of historical, religious, social and geographic factors. The emergence of villages and towns took place around economic activities such as raising and agriculture. In the process of urban consolidation, the Town Council played a considerable role, especially during the 19th century, assuming important functions in the organization and control of the urban space. The town of Acari, located in the Seridó Potiguar region, illustrates in an emblematic way the patterns and processes discussed previously. Its development is also linked to local power dynamics and the strategies adopted by the Town Council in the spatial organization and regulation of urban life throughout the 19th century. This work aims to understand how the municipal power of Acari organized and controlled the city's urban space during the imperial period (1822-1889). To achieve this objective, we adopted a historical approach, using the case study method to investigate the role of Acari’s Town Council in urban management during the imperial period. Data collection took place through documentary research in physical and digital files, with an emphasis on primary sources such as minutes of the Town Council meetings, laws, orders, regulations and other documents relevant to the topic. The analysis of documentary sources was carried out based on the content analysis technique, seeking to identify and interpret discourses and practices related to the urban space. The results of the research demonstrate that the Acari Town Council played an important role in the organization of the city's urban space during the imperial period. Through the analysis of the minutes of its meetings, it was possible to observe that councilors discussed and deliberated on various aspects related to urban life, such as the opening of streets, the construction of squares and public buildings, the regulation of commerce and industry and the maintenance of public order.