The Topographical Bureau of São Paulo

a formação de engenheiros construtores de estradas como instrumento de governo da província de São Paulo (1835-1849)

Abstract

This paper traces the history of the Topographical Bureau of São Paulo, under the creation of the Provincial Legislative Camera, in 1835. From the analysis of the provincial legislation, documents sent by agents from different provincial administrations and also speeches of the presidents of the province, this paper intends to demonstrate how the Topographical Bureau, first engineering school to give certificates of engineer road builders in the province, was projected by the São Paulo political elite to be an administrative tool, once its main objective was to train personal who could work in the public works, especially in the construction and maintenance of provincial roads.