THE CONTEXT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL CITIES IN THE DYNAMICS OF THE URBAN NETWORK: AN APPROACH ABOUT NEW PALMA, RS

Abstract

For many years, Brazilian geographic science has been dedicated to studying the dynamics of large cities, which faced various urban problems and concentrated a centrality of services, people and capital. Meanwhile, the approach of small towns was summed up in a few essays. Recently, small cities have begun to arouse the interest of researchers, demonstrating that they also have many features and importance. In postmodern society, cities are organized in a network, and so each is important for regional development. In this sense, this article seeks to discuss the urban network and the small cities, analyzing the role of these cities in the interrelationships with other urbanized areas, especially addressing the city of New Palma - RS. In order to account for this discussion, we used the empirical method and methodological techniques, such as: literature review, data collection (in the City Hall and in the Genealogical Research Center of New Palma) and conversations with residents and agents of public power. With this, it was possible to understand that the city of New Palma participates in the urban network where it is inserted and maintains diverse relationships, among them of character: educational, medical-hospital, employment and commerce with cities of the region. In addition, New Palma performs specific functions of housing, leisure and circulation of agricultural goods, within the urban network.