NOVAS RELAÇÕES ENTRE LINHAS E VIAS - Uma proposta para articular o território de Campanhã

Abstract

Campanhã is a part of Porto with a rich industrial and cultural heritage. However, the lack of visibility of this area and the existing division of the territory, caused by the infrastructures of mobility, limits urban development. This division assumes a 'crack' originated by the railway lines and intensified by the insertion of the highway into the territory. This results in a rushed territorial transformation, with ambiguous characteristics. These issues disfavor the use of public space, leading to the reduction of sociodemographic and economic dynamics, impelling the urgent need to restructure this part of the city. The present dissertation begins, in a first approach, to understand the territory through the study of its history and the observation of the area, thus creating a first image of the area and illuminating some general themes and problems. In the second chapter, we investigate the theoretical issues that refer to the case study: the evolution of the city, the relations between the city and urban infrastructures, the requirements of the public space and the way to articulate and activate the territory. Accordingly, we can develop an informed and precise territorial plan. In the third chapter, we develop a territorial response that goes through the detailed diagnosis of the case study, leading to the creation of an urban strategy for punctual interventions. The final project aims to respond to the local needs and overcome the existing barriers through the design of the public space and the creation of a program that empowers new urban dynamics and articulates the 'two faces' of Campanhã. Thus, the objective of this dissertation is to question the barrier of the city and territory, as well as the existing intervention methods and, finally, contribute with a proposal that values the city life.