De “bairro de vovó” a cenário de novela: gentrificação turística no Santo Antônio Além do Carmo – Salvador/BA

Abstract

The Santo Antônio Além do Carmo neighborhood, located in the Historic Center of Salvador, has undergone an intense process of urban transformation, which has altered its social, cultural and economic dynamics. From a historically residential area with a strong community identity, it has become a tourist and commercial environment, driven by real estate appreciation, the proliferation of bars and restaurants and the growing offer of temporary rentals on digital platforms such as Airbnb. This study investigates the impacts of tourist gentrification, analyzing its social, economic and territorial dimensions. From a methodological point of view, the strategy adopted combined qualitative and quantitative techniques, including semi-structured interviews, participant observation and documentary analysis. We used information obtained via the Access to Information Act, records from the Bahia Water and Sanitation Company (EMBASA) on commercial water connections, data from the National Register of Economic Activities to identify the opening of new businesses and the list of real estate transactions over the last ten years, with data provided by the Salvador Finance Department. The AirDNA platform was also used to map and characterize the presence of vacation rentals in the neighborhood. The results indicate a process of increasing land use value and changes in the land use profile, with the conversion of residences into tourism-oriented developments and an increase in vacation rentals. The growth of real estate speculation, driven by the media visibility of the neighborhood, has raised property prices, resulting in pressure on traditional residents, with an increase in the cost of living and rents. In addition, the research highlights the conflicts generated by tourism, such as the loss of community identity and the negative impacts on residents' daily lives, including noise pollution, accumulation of garbage, violence and disturbances to peace and quiet. The research concludes that tourist gentrification in Santo Antônio Além do Carmo exemplifies the challenges of contemporary heritage cities. It highlights the need for public policies that balance tourism, the economy and social preservation, avoiding the displacement of residents and the de-characterization of the neighborhood.