Entre o progresso e o apagamento: a expansão urbana e a perda da referência da Praça São Francisco de Assis em Belo Horizonte (MG)

Abstract

This monograph explores the history and memory of communities in the Cachoeirinha, Nova Cachoeirinha, and São Francisco neighborhoods in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, focusing on the former São Francisco de Assis Square, a space of great historical, cultural, and symbolic importance to the region. The research investigates how the concepts of place, identity, and belonging influence the construction and, at times, the deconstruction of urban spaces, as well as the right to memory in shaping individual and collective identities. Using qualitative methods, including focus groups and semi-structured interviews, the study aims to reconstruct the image of the Square through the memories and experiences of its former users. Furthermore, the research discusses how the ideal of urban development, often driven by interests disconnected from local contexts, can impact communities, leading to the loss of essential historical references crucial to the construction and preservation of the city's identity. The work is structured around theoretical analysis, historical contextualization, and discussions on the impacts of this process of erasure on the São Francisco de Assis Square community. By documenting this story, among many others relegated to oblivion in Belo Horizonte, the study hopes to contribute to the appreciation and preservation of the city's historical heritage and urban memory.