A Reabilitação Urbana de Áreas Periféricas. O Caso de Vila d'Este

Abstract

The Present work has the purpose to study the urbanization of Vila d'Este which is, according to the latest statistics, the major focus of the country population. The investigation process will develop a vision framed in the period over the last thirty years of the place. It will take into account changes in local and municipal scope, as well as its relational context within the urban conurbation of Porto. This will understand why the emergence and growth of the urbanization of Vila d'Este in a particular historical period of the national reality and how the act of its construction reflects continuities and shifts in housing policy nationally and internationally. In the opposite direction, it is important to understand how «micro-territorial» changes influence the dynamics of the metropolitan territory where that urbanization belongs. It will also be observed how the failure to achieve the objectives set out initially to the urbanization led to a degradation of the built heritage and a deterioration of this image in the public opinion. In parallel, the social issue will be taken into account in the perspective of an active agent in the construction of the urban environment. It will be seen how the proliferation of social problems have contributed to the malaise associated with this urbanization. A substantial part of this study will be dedicated to the rehabilitation process of the place. It will be done an internalization of the ongoing process, perceiving intentions and modes of action. Finally, a reading which takes into account past and present performances, will make a critical analysis, steeped in the conditions of various orders, and proceed to listing the various ideas that may stimulate the regeneration of the place. Far from being a finished work, this study will be an instrument that aims to function as a small contribution to the overall feeling and the desire for change that seems to breathe in the urbanization of Vila d'Este. It is intended that these ideas could contribute to the general debate and are living elements in the reading of the place as a result of increasing qualification process that can be continually supplemented.