Quando a cidade não cabe no verso: Leitura territorial urbana de Itapetim-PE

Abstract

This study aims to conduct an urban territorial analysis of the municipality of Itapetim-PE, a small town located in the hinterlands of Pernambuco, Brazil. The research stems from the recognition of the scarcity of academic studies and the limited development of public policies focused on small municipalities, despite their significant presence across the national territory. In this context, the study defines the urban area of Itapetim as its territorial scope, with the objective of investigating the city’s socio-spatial, economic, and cultural dynamics, and understanding how these factors shape the structure and functioning of the urban space. The methodology adopted is exploratory and descriptive in nature, employing a mixed-methods approach that combines secondary data analysis (IBGE, REGIC, SEBRAE), bibliographic and documentary review, field research, and the development of a custom cartographic base. This approach enabled a more consistent and grounded territorial reading. The results highlight a city with a strong cultural identity, particularly recognized for its importance in the tradition of metrical poetry, while also facing structural challenges typical of Brazil’s semi-arid region, such as prolonged droughts, high temperatures, and limited access to more complex public services. The urban reading was structured around four analytical axes: zoning, mobility, public facilities, and infrastructure, allowing for the identification and synthesis of the main strengths and weaknesses within the urban perimeter. Thus, the study contributes to the understanding of Itapetim’s urban specificities and positions the municipality within broader discussions about the role and relevance of small towns in Brazil’s regional urban network. By integrating morphological, socioeconomic, and cultural elements, the proposed territorial reading offers important insights for future reflections on urban planning strategies, territorial management, and the formulation of public policies aimed at strengthening and valuing small municipalities in the Pernambuco hinterlands.