Onde a Terra arde: Projetar abrigos e estratégias de resistência em territórios rurais de Portugal

Abstract

Where the land burns: designing shelters and resistance strategies in rural territories of Portugal is a reflection on the architect's role in post-disaster contexts. In a century marked by climate change and geopolitical conflicts, natural or man-made disasters have brought about destruction, human losses, and the weakening of communities, impacting not only society but also its infrastructure and environment. Demanding quick and effective responses, communities affected by these moments face complex challenges when trying to rebuild their lives. The aim of this work is to investigate how architecture can contribute to the design of shelter solutions and resistance strategies for emergency situations in the context of wildfires, reconciling immediate safety needs with social, environmental, and cultural aspects. The research begins with the analysis of the rural territory of Portugal in light of the recent major wildfire tragedies, identifying principles that can guide the development of a permanent community shelter project adaptable to different contexts. The methodology includes a literature review, case studies of existing projects, and the development of an architectural process of strategies and an experimental project that proposes designing a set of community shelters for emergency situations in the context of fires. The work is organized around a chronology composed of three stages, covering the urgent stage with the reation of a shelter, the intermediate stage that deals with prevention in the village, and the permanence stage, solutions, and prevention of the territory. Thus, the time scale will be the starting point for organizing the work, blending with the micro/macro scale for research. The last chapter of the dissertation will be dedicated to the project's intervention on the ground, where the shelter is characterized by easy assembly, low environmental impact, minimal necessary comfort, and the ability to adapt to various cultures and climates. The results highlight that architecture, by articulating technical, human, and logistical aspects, can play a central role in restoring the dignity of victims and in creating permanent solutions that, in certain cases, can evolve and adapt for other purposes. It is concluded that the architect, when acting in crisis scenarios, goes beyond the aesthetic dimension of the project and takes on an essential social responsibility. This study highlights the relevance of developing resilient shelter and territorial strategies that respond not only to material urgencies but also to human and collective needs.