Paisagens simbólicas e (re)configurações urbanas: análise do centro histórico de Ceará-Mirim/RN na concepção de lugar de pertencimento

Abstract

This Undergraduate Thesis analyzes the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Conception and the historical ensemble of architectural landscapes in the municipality of Ceará-Mirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, understanding them as central elements in the construction of local territorial identity. Grounded in the theoretical framework of Cultural and Humanistic Geography, the research articulates the concepts of place, landscape, territory, and sense of belonging, seeking to understand the role of symbolic landscapes in the production of urban space. A qualitative and descriptive approach is adopted, with emphasis on the analysis of subjects’ perceptions and on the interpretation of built heritage as an expression of collective memory. The results indicate that the historical architectural ensemble, especially the Parish Church, functions as a symbolic and affective reference for the local population, anchoring the sense of belonging in the face of urban transformations and modernization processes. It is evident that territory goes beyond its physical dimension, constituting a symbolically appropriated space in which the preservation of cultural heritage is inseparable from the affirmation of Ceará-Mirim’s territorial identity. It is concluded that symbolic landscapes play a fundamental role in maintaining urban memory and contemporary cultural resistance, reaffirming their relevance for urban planning and heritage preservation policies.