OÎKOS, ÁGORA AND EKKLESÍA

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE “FRONTIERS”, “BRIDGES” AND “SHADOW AREAS” OF A SPACE OCCUPIED BY LOW-INCOME SQUATTERS (OCUPAÇÃO QUILOMBO DAS GUERREIRAS – RIO DE JANEIRO)

Abstract

The sem-teto movement in Rio de Janeiro has carried out “ocupações” (sem-teto settlements) in the central area of the city and organized the management of their small territories through a highly horizontal structure (with very little traces of hierarchy) in which the deliberative spaces are open to the participation of all the dwellers. Considering that social relations (which are means and expression of power) are spatialised, we understand that the dynamics of a self-managed space will present its own characteristics, different from the characteristics of a heteronomous space. This spatial dimension, understood as both the material space and territoriality (i.e. spatial projections of power) has contributed to the construction of new social relations guided by social imaginary significations different from those which are dominant today. In this sense, this paper intends to elucidate elements of the internal spatial  Organization of the “ocupação” “Quilombo das guerreiras” and contribute to the reflections on similar “ocupações” which exist in the central area of Rio de Janeiro city.