A critical re-examination of valorization of space and financialization: towards a new theoretical framework for understanding evolving territorial dynamics

• Grant number: 25/00747-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Geography - Human Geography
• Principal Investigator: Fabrício Gallo
• Grantee: Bruno Moreira Riani Costa
• Supervisor: Nuria Benach Rovira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/06942-0 - The advance of financial funds over infrastructure-type geographical objects concessions: new uses of territory aligned with financialization, BP.DD

Abstract

Throughout the development of our doctoral research (FAPESP Process 2023/06942-00), we have encountered significant theoretical and methodological challenges in understanding the phenomenon we aim to analyze. In this context, the primary objectives of this proposed research abroad are: a) to delve deeper into theoretical discussions surrounding the concepts of production and valorization of space, contrasting the results obtained thus far in our doctoral research with other readings in the field of critical geography and seeking to incorporate the contributions of researchers and research groups at the host institution into our methodological framework; b) to analyze how public infrastructure teams become the foundation for a particular form of spatial valorization in the current context of financialization; c) to examine the characteristics of asset managers' participation in public infrastructure concession projects in Spain, which will allow us to assess, by contrast, the specificities of the Brazilian case in relation to infrastructure financialization. To achieve these objectives, we will conduct a literature review, participate in study groups and research seminars, and attend courses at the Faculty of History and Geography of the Universitat de Barcelona (UB)