The following paper sets the city of Salvador-Bahía, Brazil´s third most populated city, in context with the effects of globalization. Between the 1950 s and 1970 s, Brazil s northeastern region experienced fast economic growth due to federal financial and fiscal incentives. This sudden process occurred unevenly at regional and city levels, especially for Salvador that released internal areas to expand and decentralize itself. However, during the 1980 s and 1990 s this process was reversed due to neoliberalism and productive restructuring. These are the elements that define in what terms globalization sets in. Consequently, the economic and social spaces of the metropolitan area contracted, increasing the number of unemployed and under-employed people, and intensifying social segregation and exclusion. On the other hand, some "modern islands" in the city began to gather around small but economically prosperous activities like tourism and linked themselves to other national and international areas instead of local places and flows