Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo Considered Dual Natured Cities? A Comparison in this with Paris

Abstract

Rio and São Paulo are usually described as highly segregated metropolitan areas marked by great inequalities.
In contrast, research on segregation in Paris has shown a complex social and spatial structure that is quite
distinct from the dualist vision, be this in social terms or in spatial ones. The authors pose the question as
to whether the Brazilian metropolises are truly more segregated and more socially and spatially dual cities,
or whether this is be merely a consequence of the categories and methods adopted by most of the existing
literature on the issue. They thus propose using a comparison with Paris to explore the question. The study
thus addresses two of the main dimensions of segregation namely its socio-economic and ethno-racial aspects.
In Europe although there is growing concern about the ethno-racial question and some authors argue that
the latter has now assumed a much greater importance. In Brazil, the socio-economic dimension has also
been seen as crucial yet ethno-racial segregation in the two metropolises have not been properly formulated
as such so far, despite the large (and growing) body of literature making it patent that the myth of «racial
democracy» is nothing but that and that racial inequality is one of the crucial factors to inequality of
opportunity in the country. The paper main focus of analysis is thus the comparative nature and scope of
socio-economic segregation. The ethno-racial dimension is brought into play when considering Brazil as data
is more readily available while a comparison with Paris on this issue virtually impossible as yet.