From “Postcard” to “Risk Area”: The (Re)Production of Copacabana amidst New Disputes and Territorialities

Abstract

This paper discusses the (re)production of Copacabana, recognized in Rio de Janeiro’s imaginary as the “postcard” of the city, in a context of urban violence and informality capable of updating disputes over Rio’s territories and borders. From the analysis of meetings of the Community Security Council of Copacabana and Leme (CCSCL) and the discourses and representations of the middle classes living in this neighborhood regarding the current urban conflict, it is possible to see that Copacabana’s terms of distinction are called into question under different security concepts and new ways of making policies pervaded by the fear of favelization.

Keywords

• copacabana, violência urbana, políticas públicas, inimigos urbanos, camadas médias