Leisure and urbanisation in Brazil from the 1950s to the 1970s

Abstract

This article discusses the relationship between the change in the conception of leisure and the acceleration of the urbanisation process in Brazil from the 1950s to the 1970s. In order to achieve this goal, we used Veja magazine as a privileged source, as well as a literature review. Created in the 1960s and uninterruptedly published up to today, this weekly magazine has been characterised by its widespread distribution throughout Brazil and by its interest in subjects connected to social behaviour. We conclude that in the period studied, the growth of the Brazilian cities, alongside the consolidation of the process of industrialisation, triggered new behaviours linked to consumption and a new sensitivity towards nature, dimensions that instituted new forms of leisure. Similarly, the new postures towards nature, the new consuming habits, as well as the new conceptions of leisure, influenced the path of urbanisations. As a consequence of this process, it is possible to notice an enhancement in the offering of services and governmental concerns related to leisure, as well as the structuring of a field of investigation around leisure.