O papel dos ícones urbanos e arquitetônicos na construção da imagem turística de Fortaleza (Ceará, Brasil)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to highlight the role of urban and architectural icons in the construction of the tourist image of the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, critically analyzing the major urban interventions aimed at increasing the attractiveness of tourism, as well as projects and ideas for requalification, identifying the contradictions of the process of production and consumption of space related to tourism. The methodology is a synthesis of theoretical and empirical references. First, it presents a conceptual analysis of the role of urban and architectural icons in a historical perspective, emphasizing particularly its contemporary meaning, and the relationship of tourism with the consumption of space. Then, analyzes the major urban interventions in Fortaleza that were motivated by tourism, such as urban renewal projects in historic areas and establishment of cultural centers. In order to demonstrate the recurrence of urban and architectural icons in the construction of the tourist image of Fortaleza highlights key projects and ideas for action to the coast. The relevance of this work concerns the need to understand the role of tourism in contemporary urban processes, emphasizing the inclusion of strategies to place marketing and the importance of urban design and architecture in the construction of the tourist image of Fortaleza.