Transnational connections between (il)legal markets: the journeys of stolen cars in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Chicago (USA)

• Grant number: 25/06324-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Sociology - Urban Sociology
• Agreement: ANR
• Principal Investigator: Bianca Stella Pinheiro de Freire Medeiros
• Grantee: Mateus Cardoso de Almeida
• Host Institution: Centro Brasileiro de Análise e Planejamento (CEBRAP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/07160-7 - Global cars: a transnational urban research on vehicle informal economies (Europe, Africa and South America), AP.TEM

Abstract

Although the literature on illegal markets is extensive, it is still marked by normative approaches that link illegalities to the lack of economic or urban development. Furthermore, there are few empirical studies on how these markets function in everyday life and impact socio-spatial dynamics. The core of the research involves the analysis of interactions between transnational markets, highlighting the role of crime as a driver of the automobility system. This research front, which connects Rio de Janeiro and Chicago, aims to investigate the relationship between urban "centers" and "margins", analyzing the journey of stolen or stolen cars (and auto parts) in these two cities. The fellow will continue the work carried out by fellow Maria Eduarda Carvalho, who will leave the project in March 2025, and will contribute to the team of more experienced researchers, developing activities that will contribute to a multidisciplinary training.