O papel do Mercado na cidade contemporânea: Praça, o novo Mercado de Famalicão

Abstract

The present work explores the role of the markets in contemporary cities, focusing on the analysis of the rehabilitation of Vila Nova de Famalicão's Municipality Market, the new "Praça" (Square) of the city. The term of "Praça" (Square) was always associated to the market place. Since its beginning, it always worked in strategic places of the city, especially in centralised public spaces. The market had, over time, different roles and experiences in cities. If in the beggining of its existence it had an essential role connected to society's condition of subsistence, over time it became unfit to the society's needs and, therefore, fell in abandonment and oblivion. The Market of Vila Nova de Famalicão was, before it's rehabilitation, forgotten and misfit to its surrounded reality, being an intervention essential, for the building itself as for the city. Nowadays, we verify the attempts to harmonise the contemporary perspectives with traditions, and the Market of Vila Nova de Famalicão is the perfect example for it. With its analysis, the intention of rethinking the role of markets in the contemporary cities can be set. Through strategies and programmatic changes we can transform the new markets in anchor-buildings, leading to the revitalisation of historical centres and contemporary cities. The Market, intrinsically connected to memory and the identity of the city, sets, nowadays, a new feeling in experiencing it, with new and varied functions, in a strong relationship with the public space that surrounds it. It is urgent to intervene in these spaces, today considered heritage, as they should and deserve to be valued.