Conectando o passado ao futuro: projeto de revitalização da estação ferroviária de Itapeva/SP como vetor de desenvolvimento turístico e cultural

Abstract

The development of the Brazilian economy has long been linked to the expansion of railways. The progress brought about by rail lines was responsible for the growth of many cities and towns. This progress was slowly overshadowed by the emergence of a new promise of progress: highways. For most municipalities in São Paulo, what was once a symbol of development and the aesthetic of an era now lies in ruins. Itapeva/SP is one of the many cities grappling with this reality. The Faxina Station, as it was known, now stands as a testament to what was once a regional landmark. Despite the efforts of residents, who year after year organize events aimed at preserving its memory and drawing attention to a historic asset on the brink of collapse, the infrastructure remains underutilized. Research emerges as a means of discussing the future of railways, which are currently gaining momentum with new projects and concession contracts, albeit predominantly in financially lucrative areas, transforming into corridors for commodities. Tourism, conceived through a Regional Plan, emerges as an alternative for the revitalization and economic development of regions that lack economically viable transportation routes for commodities, serving as a means of diversifying activities and protecting railway heritage.