Dinâmica de expansão urbana de Ceará-Mirim-RN: aspectos locais e metropolitanos?

This study aims to understand the growth dynamics of Ceará-Mirim city considering the aspects that define its current urban sprawl. We chose to use as methodological approach the concept of space as a product and producer of social relations and the same constitutes by objects and actions that relate in a dialectical process over time. As a research tool, it took place bibliographical study that features the historical aspects of use and occupation, in order to evidence the regional ground agents that explain its current urban setting. Then, it was collected a secondary data of economic analysis activities from municipality and their impact on local social structure. Between these aspects, the sugar economy, even in decline, had appeared as defining the boundaries of urban growth. At the regional scale, other factors were discussed in a way of urban influence processes forming the Greater Natal (RMNatal), and Ceará-Mirim appears integrating into this scale in a very low level according to Metropolis Observatory (2012). However, we have pointed out that in recent years, especially in growth vector of BR 406, settled metropolitan scope equipment. These objects have been associating in a real estate sector's reasoning while the possible "metropolization" have been promoting as investments in the city's expansion area.