Metropolization, urban-industrial agglomerations and regional development in the south of Brazil

Abstract The article deals with the relations between metropolization, urban agglomerations and regional development. Based on an analysis of the contemporary trends of metropolization, we aim to understand how the movement of productive spatial restructuring reflects on concentrated urban spaces, especially metropolitan areas and urban agglomerations. We highlight that both concepts are understood as spatial forms, beyond their institutional definition. From this analysis, we also aim to understand how spaces in the process of or linked to metropolization can, with the articulation of regional stakeholders, promote regional development policies, including their connection with the global economy.