In 2014 an interdisciplinary team of researchers from French and Brazilian institutions developed the research project "Transição metropolitana e centralidades nas cidades brasileiras na primeira metade do século XX" (Metropolitan transition and centralities in Brazilian cities in the first half of the 20th century, TRAME). The articles that make up this book are partial and original results of this collective work between geographers, historians, sociologists, architects and urban planners. Scientific missions were carried out in the following years in Paris, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The researchers used collections of archives and libraries collecting data from various sources, taught courses and lectures, participated and conceived seminars and congresses. Undergraduate and graduate students integrated the work process and the consolidation of the international research network.