Projecto Urbano para Campanhã - Unidades de Produção e Espaço Público para o Porto

Abstract

The following thesis discusses the way of thinking the city and public space, considering the factors that influence the development of the urban organism. Public space is the articulating and organizing element of a whole and its construction involves the participation of everyday urban life. It is characterized by a system of a continuous nature based on the relationships and built shapes, once the city operates in a diversity and the design of public space that unifies the whole set. In the city there are many factors contributing to urban expansion, not providing spaces for a social identification. Among these factors we have the structure (infrastructure, highways, etc); the change of boundaries or perimeters of the urban and morphology nature. The creation of public space in the city today, involves the creation of alternatives that boost the city, either by creating new squares but also by setting up production facilities to generate jobs and diversity. These issues are addressed in the area of study, the area Campanhã of Porto's metropolitan area, an industrial city that began to develop in the 1860's which originated an increase in migration and consequent population growth, which forced the creation of solutions to accommodate this increasing population, resulting in the construction of slums "islands" a kind of independent housing from the middle class homes of the bourgeoisie, built at the back of them. On addressing the type "island" housing, it's necessary to talk about the SAAL movement, which sought the transformation of Porto's islands, keeping their inhabitants in their traditional places of residence, demanding improved housing conditions. Finally, through the subject Project V, the proposals draw up for an urban project in this precise area, will be introduced. Here all subjects previously spoken of will be questioned, presenting possible solutions when there is intervention in public space, while it also works as a chance to intervene in this area of Porto.