Memória do Cávado: frente ribeirinha de Fão num caso prático

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the urban and territorial analysis of Esposende and Fão, with particular emphasis on the requalification of Fão's riverside front. Situated between the river and the sea, these localities have developed through an intrinsic relationship with water, an element that has shaped their identity both as seaside resorts and fishing communities. However, the absence of strategic planning for rehabilitation has led to the degradation of several areas, particularly along Fão's waterfront, which is currently marked by abandonment and underutilization. Based on a progressive methodology that combines theoretical analysis with practical fieldwork, the research unfolds in three phases: observing, understanding and intervening. It entails the interpretation of historical and territorial contexts, the recognition of morphological characteristics and the formulation of appropriate strategies for revitalization. Th study culminates in a proposal aimed at the rehabilitation and activation of Fão's waterfront, fostering new dynamics within the territory while reinforcing local identity through an approach that is both integrated into the landscape and grounded in historical continuity. By proposing an intervention that respects the past while adressing present-day needs, this research positions itself as a contribution to the rethinking of riverside fronts in small-scale urban contexts, where landscape and cultural valorization work hand in hand.