Historic Center of Porto: a landscape of transformation, Portugal

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Name	Historic Center of Porto: a landscape of transformation
Place	Porto
Country	Portugal
Author(s)	Andreia V. Quintas
Project start	enter the date of the project start
Completion	enter the date of completion
World Heritage	1996
Client	enter the client
Project costs	enter the costs (if known)
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Rationale: Why is the case study interesting?

Please summarise:- e.g. Design Innovation? Planning Exemplar? Theoretical Insights? Lessons from its failure?

The historic center of Porto constitutes a landscape that is the result of the process of transformation and evolution that the city has passed over the years. The biophysical and constructed elements, shaped by the action of the man, and in conjugation with its livability, had created an unique landscape characterized by its unity. Always in close relation with the river and growing through the slopes, the city has managed to transform itself, responding to changes and new needs, distinguished not only by its constructed heritage but on a culture of its people.

Author's perspective

What theoretical or professional perspective do you bring to the case study? Please make a short note on your personal background

The case study is particularly interesting because it is the result of an evolution of the city, from its birth and that continues today, in constant transformation. This cultural landscape reflects the interaction between man and nature and how he was creating the city, according to their needs and desires. It is an area with its own dynamics, constantly in change. In my personal background, I find very interesting to analyze the process of evolution and how the landscape has been transformed, while assuring a strong character and identity.

Cultural landscape context

Biogeography, cultural features, overall landscape character, history and dynamics

Illustration: Map; sketches; short descriptive analyses

The landscape Historic Center of Porto is the result of the influence of different time periods that that city lived, and the transformations that it suffered, with the creation of a unique and harmonious urban landscape, with strong character, unity and identity. The part of the city that belongs to the World Heritage List consist in an area surrounded by the Fernandine Walls, ramparts that derive from the 14th Century, and also some areas that still have a medieval character.

With an important geographic location, near the end of the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean, this city is inhabited since the 8th century B.C., when it constituted a Phoenician trading settlement. This landscape is also characterized by other historical marks that remain, particularly in the civil architecture of the Roman, Medieval and 19th century periods. Also are visible traces of the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classic and Modern in the constructions that are present in this area.

The river and the relief have a strong presence in the city, influencing its evolution, since the beginning of its occupation. Its name, which derives from the Roman word “Portus”, means port, confirming the importance of this place in terms of social occupation. The commercial and administrative importance of this city has grown during the 5th Century, with the barbarian passage, and also during the Visigoths invasion period, when it constituted an Episcopal center. During these times, the city was often target of invasions and attacks, from the swabians, Visigoths, Normans and moors, and later was the scenery of some battles such as the “Liberal Revolution (in 1829), the end of the monarchy (in 1910) and the democracy revolution (in 1974).

His geographical location is an important factor which contributed to its economical importance. Since early times, Porto was in the confluence of various commercial trades, attracting other economical activities, such as the naval construction (during the 14th – 15th Centuries), the fishing and the storage activity, and the commerce (particularly of the Porto wine), but was also with the setup of several banks, insurance companies and the Exchange Market. The built heritage includes military architecture, such as the earlier ramparts, that date from the 12th century, including 2 of the 4 original gates, and the Fernandine Walls (completed in 1376), but also some ecclesiastic buildings, such as the Romanesque Core of the Cathedral (dating from the12th century, with alterations until the 18th Century), the Church of S. Francisco (Gothic style, 14th century), Church of São Lourenço dos Grillos (Mannerist style, 16th – 17th century), Church of Misericórdia (Gothic Manueline style with later classical Renaissance elements), Church of Nossa Senhora da Vitória (early Baroque style) and Church of Clérigos (Baroque style, from Niccolo Nazzoni).

This area also has significant public buildings, such as: Theatre of S. João, Batalha Palace, Sereias Palace, the prison of Relação, Hospital Santo António (Neo-Palladian style), Alfândega (Custom House from the 19th Century), Palace of the Bolsa (Stock Exchange, with Neo-Classical style), Market Ferreira Borges (1885), São Bento railway station (1900) and the Paços do Concelho (City Hall, constructed in 1920 – 1957). It also includes some early private houses, such as a building from the 14th century, in Beco dos Redemoinhos.

In the 20th Century, the historic center has suffered a period of decline, with the degradation of the buildings and public space and the transference of the commercial and economic center to other places. In 2004, it was created the “Porto Vivo / Sociedade de Reabilitação Urbana”, a public-private partnership, which aims the rehabilitation of the city center, the qualification of the public space and the recuperation of the economic activities such as commerce, cultural activities, tourism and recreation and the creative industries.

The rehabilitation of this area and its international recognition as World Heritage acted as triggers for a change, with the appreciation of this area, both by its population and visitants, increasing its attractiveness and encouraging new investments in tourism, arts and new technologies. Although these innovations and the degradation period that the historic center have passed, this area always conserved a strong identity, in the biophysical elements, but also in the culture and identity of the “portuenses”, with the preservation of their symbols and traditions.

Socio-political context

Brief explanation of political economy, legal framework

Illustration: Bullet points, image, background notes

Porto locates in the northwest of Portugal, at the confluence of the Douro River with the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes the second most important city in Portugal and it is the center of the Porto Metropolitan Area. The historic center of Porto is the oldest part of the town, and it is composed by 4 parishes: Sé, S. Nicolau, Vitória and Miragaia. It integrates the old core that was inside the ancient Fernandine Wall and some medieval zones in the surroundings, comprising an area of around 49 hectares.

Although it constituted an important civic and commercial center in the past, the process of urban expansion brought a displacement of the commerce and business activities and services, creating new centers in the city. It caused deterioration in both the built fabric and in its social composition, creating serious problems of migration, insecurity and aging. There was a decline in population, mostly younger, due to high housing costs, a shortage of houses in good conditions and the increased supply in the more peripheral areas.

However, the physical and social renewal of the historical center, that is going on through right now, with the establishment of institutions related to arts, youth, crafts, culture and leisure, are turning the historic center a more attractive place, both for the visit and tourism, but also for living. Also its designation as World Heritage contributes to its attractiveness and for a sense of pride of the population.

This conversion of the functions fulfilled by the historic center, calling for greater creativity, dynamism and globalization did not cause the loose of the tradition and culture that existed. Rather, they are based on this identity, promoting it and taking it as a differentiating factor. The resident population still shows its rural influence, conserving a sense of solidarity and inter-communication between people, which has always characterized the "portuenses.

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