Fortaleza: fortified city and government of residues

Abstract

In recent years, given the increase in homicide rates and urbanization, a warlike language has emerged in the media and social sciences in Ceará: “war on drugs”, “war on crime”, “war of factions”, “war without end”, “infinite war”. At the center of this war, a presumed city. When observing the modulations through which government techniques have managed material, corporeal and subjective waste throughout Fortaleza, it is possible to speak of the city's governmental fortification. This article presents the main questions of a research agenda on the imaginary of a fortified city and the way in which the government of residues uses fortification as a strategy for managing populations and territories on urban margins.