Lisboa, "palimpsesto" cultural. Princípios de intervenção urbana inclusiva na Praça Martim Moniz

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the territory of Martim Moniz, in Lisbon, with a particular emphasis on the square. This space is analyzed as a constantly evolving palimpsest, shaped not only by its rich heritage but also by the cultural diversity that defines it. The sociological dimension of the urban space is especially significant, particularly in the context of intense migrations that have impacted large cities. In this regard, the dissertation explores multiculturalism and the participation of various communities, examining the relationship between social and spatial dimensions as drivers of productive development and transformation of the territory. The dissertation is structured into three chapters. The first explores the historical context of the city of Lisbon and its disruptive transformations, both physical and symbolic, over time, culminating in the current configuration of Praça Martim Moniz. This chapter also highlights the city's strong multicultural presence and its implications for the urban context. The launch of the public competition for the redevelopment of Praça Martim Moniz emerges as a central focus of this work, not only for introducing new types of public spaces, such as a garden, but also for its innovative approach to promoting public participation. This theme is examined in detail, considering the different stakeholders and the impact that public participation had on the decisive phases of the competition. In the second chapter, the results of the intervention proposals are compared with those from the Participatory Process and with the prerequisites outlined in the competition's Terms of Reference. Public participation is critically assessed, given its varying degrees of implementation and at different stages of the competition, particularly considering the diversity of cultures involved and their distinct social dynamics. In the third part, the dissertation develops into an essay of reflections and proposals, evoking the meanings of ecumenical, plural, and undifferentiated spaces and their impacts on the community. Considering that "the paths of creation, even in architecture, are never linear", this study results from the layering of different social and cultural appropriations, where the negotiation and use of space reflect the coexistence of these multiple cultural and social layers, shaping the identity of the space.