POPULAR HOUSING AND SOCIO-SPATIAL SEGREGATION IN IMPERATRIZ-MA

The study analyzes the production of urban space in medium-sized Amazonian cities, highlighting the socio-spatial dynamics peculiar to the city of Imperatriz- MA. The objective is to understand the process of socio-spatial segregation in the perception of the residents of the Recanto Universitário housing complex in Imperatriz (MA) and its relations with the contemporary housing policy. This is located in the Vila Fiquene neighborhood and has a police station, a municipal school, a Social Assistance Reference Center, a multi-sports court and a health clinic. The theoretical basis discusses the urban phenomenon, socio-spatial segregation and housing policies. In the methodological one opted for the historical and dialectical Materialism method, and case study, with a quali-quantitative approach. Besides, it was used bibliographic bases from IBGE, DIREI and IMESC to exemplify materializations that were identified in the locality of study. As results, it is inferred that the reality found in the Housing Estate is at opposite ends of what is oriented by the National Housing Policy. The satisfaction in acquiring a home of their own and the dissatisfaction with the services provided by the government stand out.