Metropolitan regions of Paraíba

Characterization, implementation, and management processes

Abstract

The institutionalization of Metropolitan Regions in Paraíba is being carried out, appa-rently, without meeting the criteria that justify the choices. This research sought to identify the effective centrality that the indicated metropolitan nuclei show regarding their hinterland, taking as reference the classical parameters for the definition of Metropolitan Regions defined by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, and their recent adaptations. From these results, a comparison was made with the parameters established by the Federal Law 13,089 / 2015, the Statute of the Metropolis. In addition, the article discusses the implementation of planning and management tools for intermunicipal cooperation in these units. The adopted methodology considered demographic, structural, and integrational characteristics to identify urban centralities and its application resulted in the identification of only three cores with metropolitan characteristics: Campina Grande, João Pessoa, and Guarabira. In comparison with the new determinations of the Statute of the Metropolis it was verified that only the Re-gions of Campina Grande and João Pessoa effectively had a metropolitan profile. Thus, the studies indicate the need for deinstitutionalization of most Metropolitan Regions in the state of Paraíba and the creation of structures for the management of common services. These structures, when foreseen by law, were not implemented.