CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

Brazil had an auspicious start because of the smooth transition to independence in 1822. Because of the nation’s large size, it could produce large quantities of sugar, rubber and coffee. The sugar trade was a remnant of the transatlantic trade but was fading by the twentieth century. By then, coffee had become the most lucrative export. Large coffee fields emerged in the state of São Paulo and attracted laborers and capital, which resulted in the urbanization and the modernization of the city. By 1922, the city hosted its first Modern Art week, which is when the Brazilian avant-garde shifted their movement towards adapting the avant-garde to the Brazilian reality, and thereby creating Brazilianness. The Great Depression pushed Brazil towards industrialization after it could no longer depend on foreign manufactured imports. São Paulo, again, led the effort and continued its growth and dominance. Together with the city of Mine Gerais, the cities provided the nation’s presidents till 1930. During this same period the focus had turned on integrating automobiles and skyscrapers into the city, exemplified through the the Martinelli building in 1929. The nation's stable political system changed after the military coup of 1930, which led to Vargas becoming president. Vargas centralized the nation's government during one of Brazil’s most agitated periods. As the world was preparing for war, Vargas strengthened the nations ties with the United States. By 1950, the nation restored its democratic process. Five years later Kubitschek was elected president. He ambitiously built a new futuristic capital and improved its economic standings. After the completion of the futuristic capital, Brazilianness would manifest itself throughout São Paulo. Exemplified through the Matarazzo pavilion, Copan building, Paulistano Athletic Club and the MASP. By the 1960s, Brazil stood on the eve of Rostow’s ‘take off’ phase. The next phase - the ‘drive to maturity’ was, however, not reached. The weak economic integration within the region, the small size of the domestic market and the excessive urbanization led to a continuous state of underdevelopment. The military orchestrated another coup in an attempt to strengthen the economy and elected a general as president of the nation. During 1968 till 1974, the economy returned to a path of growth. However, the fuel crisis of 1973 had a (delayed) catastrophic result on the inflation-stricken economy, which led to the liberalization of the economy by the 1980s. As a consequence, the planning of cities became a decentralized task, often done by the market and with the aim of a strategic intervention. The 1970s brought about a new phenomenon; the emergence of the global city. This development can be attributed to the concentration of multi-nationals, who from strategic places seek to improve their global reach and market integration.

São Paulo emerged as a Global city because of the deregulation, the heavy national investment in regional infrastructure, and the building of digital networks. The city’s architecture reflects the globalist corporate presence through buildings like the headquarters for the Bank of London and the Mirante Do Vale. Bo Bardi’s SESC building reflects a reaction to these forces through a critical reflection on the building's context. Through the research it has become apparent that the context, technological advancement and the development of ideas and institutions have shaped our built environment, but that they are also a result of cross-fertilization between what is a rooted culture and civilization.