Banca de DEFESA: ANA CECÍLIA NASCIMENTO DE ARAÚJO

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : ANA CECÍLIA NASCIMENTO DE ARAÚJO
DATE: 20/05/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Sala virtual
TITLE:

Railway Heritage, Memory, and Cultural Tourism: Meanings Attributed to the Railway in Natal (RN)

KEY WORDS:

Railway Heritage; Cultural Tourism; Collective Memory; Natal-RN

PAGES: 142
BIG AREA: Ciências Sociais Aplicadas
AREA: Turismo
SUMMARY:

This dissertation analyzes railway heritage in the urban context of Natal (RN),considering it as part of collective memory and as a potential resource for cultural tourism. The study isbased on the understanding that railways played a significant role in Brazil’s economic and territorialformation; however, much of this infrastructure is currently deactivated, underused, or in a state ofabandonment, especially in the Northeast region. Despite their presence in the urban landscape, theseassets still occupy a marginal position in local cultural and tourism practices. The central researchproblem is to understand why railway heritage in Natal, despite its historical significance, has lowintegration into urban memory and cultural tourism. The general objective is to analyze the meaningsattributed to this heritage and its relationship with memory and tourism. Specific objectives includeidentifying existing railway assets, analyzing the perceptions of different social actors, investigating theirrelationship with memory, and verifying their presence in the city’s tourism practices. This is aqualitative, applied research study with an exploratory and descriptive character, developed through acase study approach. The methodological procedures included bibliographic and documentary review,mapping of railway assets in Natal, conducting semi-structured interviews with stakeholders related tothe topic, and data analysis using Content Analysis and Narrative Analysis techniques. The results showthat railway heritage in Natal presents different levels of conservation, with a predominance ofabandoned structures or those used in ways disconnected from their original function. Weaknesses areobserved in the management of these assets, along with limited integration between cultural and tourisminitiatives and low social participation in processes of heritage valorization. At the same time,interviewees recognize the historical importance of the railway and point to possibilities for using thisheritage in initiatives related to cultural tourism, heritage education, and the strengthening of localidentity. It is concluded that railway heritage in Natal has historical relevance and potential for use incultural tourism; however, its valorization depends on more coordinated actions among preservation,planning, and social use. The research highlights the need to expand initiatives that promote theintegration of these assets into the city’s cultural dynamics, contributing to their visibility and to therecognition of their value by the population.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2495866 - ALMIR FELIX BATISTA DE OLIVEIRA
Interna - 1243685 - ERICA PRISCILLA CARVALHO DE LIMA MACHADO
Interna - 1117908 - MARIA LUCIA BASTOS ALVES
Externo à Instituição - DANILO ALVES DA SILVA