BRT TransCarioca: atlas socioespacial de um eixo de estruturação e fragmentação urbana

Abstract

The bus system constitutes a central role in Brazilian urban mobility and is widely recognized as the backbone of public transportation in Brazil. Therefor, transport corridors and axes have the potential to directly influence how cities grow and are structured, shaping patterns of land occupation and the distribution of opportunities. Based on this premise, this research analyzed how the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, conceived as an efficient and lower-cost solution for delivering high-quality public transport services, has affected the intra-urban dynamics of the city of Rio de Janeiro over the past two decades. The TransCarioca BRT corridor was selected as the focus of the investigation due to its strategic relevance in connecting Galeão International Airport to Barra da Tijuca, crossing the city’s suburban North Zone. The study examined portions of Planning Areas 3 and 4 of the city, traversed by the TransCarioca BRT. The adopted methodology was primarily based on the analysis of sociodemographic data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) censuses of 2000, 2010, and 2022 for the areas covered by the corridor. The central objective was to understand intra-urban dynamics based on these analyses, investigating whether and how the system contributed to urban transformations within its area of influence. The theoretical framework was grounded in three key concepts: urban fragmentation, spatial structuring, and urban mobility. Urban fragmentation was defined as the subdivision of the territory into heterogeneous areas, often separated by physical, economic, or symbolic barriers, reinforcing different degrees of social integration. Spatial structuring was understood as a dynamic system of relationships between physical and social elements that determines how the urban fabric is organized. Urban mobility was addressed from the perspective of connectivity and accessibility, considering the conditions required for efficient movement and access to opportunities and services. The results, obtained through the cross-analysis of census data and land-use information, indicate an ambiguous role of the TransCarioca BRT in territorial organization. Improvements in connectivity were observed in certain segments, expanding mobility options in areas previously underserved by public transport. However, the system did not significantly reduce sociodemographic inequalities, particularly in segments characterized by higher levels of urban fragmentation, due to the absence of supportive regulatory policies or incentives for development along its route. In summary, the study concludes that the implementation of the TransCarioca BRT did not effectively mitigate urban fragmentation, although it did generate localized gains in connectivity. By documenting the transformations observed during the analyzed period through sociodemographic data and land-use mapping, resulting in an atlas of the TransCarioca BRT, the research highlights the importance of integrating public transport investments with urban planning strategies aimed at promoting socio-spatial inclusion. In this sense, the findings underscore the need for transport policies that are aligned with land-use policies, in order to foster greater equity in the distribution of opportunities and contribute to more cohesive and just cities. These findings highlight the need to align transport policies with land-use policies in order to promote a more equitable distribution of opportunities and advance more cohesive cities.