Revitalization to whom? Urban policy and gentrification in Downtown Santos

The article discusses, based on Neil Smith’s concept of gentrification, the process of ennoblement of the city of Santos and of revitalization of the historic center, which has been occurring in the city since the mid-1990s. From the analysis of four municipal administrations – 1997-2000; 2001-2004 (political party: PPB); and 2005-2008; 2009-2012 (political party: PMDB) – and their urban planning policies, we interpret how pro-market views concerning the urban theme have influenced the gentrification of the city and the gentrification of the downtown area, added to the lack of a policy of social inclusion of residents of slums and substandard housing.