Industrial agglomeration and the environment in debate: the case of the textile-clothing sector within the micro-region of the Alto Vale do Itajaí – Santa Catarina

Abstract

This article looks at the genesis of and transformations within the textileclothing

industry in the upper Itajaí Valley micro-region, state of Santa

Catarina, during the 1990s. We attempt to describe and evaluate its major

forms of social and environmental impact. Our research employs both qualitative

and quantitative approaches, combining semi-structured interviews

with question forms applied to the key-actors. Results show that this

industrial clustering is informal in nature and characterized by low levels

of inter and intra-firm cooperation. Further findings reveal the limitations

of the industry’s engagement with social and environmental issues, and

with the long term, in general. From a socio-environmental perspective,

the industry’s activity within this region has propagated numerous biophysical

and social effects. Nonetheless, there is also some indication of

actions suggesting a gradual internalization of social-environmental issues

on the part of local actors.

Keywords: Sustainable territorial development, industrial clustering, social

and environmental impacts.