Global spatial interactions from medium- and small-sized cities of the Vales Region-RS

Abstract

This study intends to analyze global spatial interactions from medium- and small-sized cities through export and import flows. The cities of the Vales Region (RS) and their main productive sectors — tobacco, and chicken and pork meat — are used as a case study. In terms of methodology, this study is based on data from 2018 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) and identifies the main companies in each sector, mapping the destinations of exports and imports, as well as relating them to the urban network and the territorial division of labor. The results reveal that the medium-sized cities of Santa Cruz do Sul and Lajeado are integrated into the globalized economy due to the presence of multinational corporations, establishing spatial interactions triggered by these companies and global markets. On the other hand, in small cities in Vale do Taquari, regional companies and cooperatives play an important role, changing regional dynamics in order to compete with multinationals through a high volume of exports. The role of small cities, such as Westfália, Poço das Antas, and Encantado, stands out, as they export products from slaughterhouses and food factories. In the region, the distribution of companies with the largest quantity of exported products is concentrated in Santa Cruz do Sul and Venâncio Aires in the tobacco sector, while in Vale do Taquari there is a wider distribution of companies, due to the structure of the meat chain, something which directly reflects on the regional urban network and on horizontal and vertical spatial interactions.