Cities for Whom? Urban Life and Vulnerable Bodies

Abstract

This paper systematically analyzes the spatial dynamics of unhoused people (UH) in Rio de Janeiro and New York City, based on research supported by FAPERJ and CNPq. The article explores and highlights the unpredictable, uneven experience of inclusion and belonging, which is undermined by the lack of rights and forced mobility. The methodology employed involves georeferencing UH through semi-structured interviews and photographic or drawing records. This approach, implemented in several neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and in Manhattan, New York City (NYC), enables more dialogue around the conflict and convergences in experiences across Latin and North American cities. The findings strengthen the spatial visibility of vulnerable populations, who remain part of the urban fabric while simultaneously facing systemic marginalization due to inadequate housing and planning policies. The findings demonstrate how UH communities form in urban areas, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, collectively constituting what we term as invisible city. The results also underscore the actors engaged in urban power struggles and the need for counter-hegemonic urban planning initiatives. With the support of David Harvey’s concept of the capitalist city, Anderson’s Affect Theory, and the framework of public dimensions by Lavalle, the collected data contribute to a realistic and forward-looking understanding of contemporary urban life.