Fronteira, ponte e rio: limites e passagens para diferentes atores em São Borja

Abstract

The present thesis aims to understand the dynamics between the border, bridge, and river, more specifically, the border between the cities of Santo Tomé - AR and São Borja - BR, the International Integration Bridge, and the Uruguay River, from the experience of actors of different scales of representation that operate in the region. The study sought to establish relationships between the polysemic network of concepts about the border, scales of action, and the empirical data, as well as to explore, in the social dynamics of some regional actors, the arguments that support the hypothesis that, by monopolizing the step, that is, the border crossing, the International Integration Bridge has significantly transformed these dynamics, bringing a new imposed logistical and economic logic. For this study, we opted for the qualitative research approach, of an applied nature, of exploratory character and objective, having used data collection techniques such as bibliographic survey, allied to records and field diary analysis with participant observation and in-depth interviews with eighteen multiscalar actors. Photographic field records were also used, and, the temporal cut-off was from the year of the thesis and comprises the period from 2017 to 2021, however, the material collected reflects more than eight years of the author's involvement with the said topic. The consequences of these changes are the sterilization of the banks, since it makes any physical interaction other than through the bridge illegal, and although it has brought undeniable benefits for the surrounding communities, it has also brought damage and sequelae for a significant portion of the population, the fishermen, whalers, and riverbank dwellers, and, because the twenty-five-year term is ending soon, it is possible to rethink the proposed model.