O antigo Matadouro Municipal do Porto. Uma oportunidade para reabilitação urbana

Abstract

The industrialization unquestionably changed radically the ways of life of man. The sequences of events, driven by mechanization of production processes in the XVIII century, reverberated in defining the structure of modern society: the way we occupy the city, in human relationships, and also, in architecture. In this sense, the industrial building, as an area that provided technical developments, represents the symbolic place of modernization. Recently, in urban centers has been observed a process of deindustrialization that causes negative effects on the urban tissue. The spaces that so recently staged a major role in shaping the cities are now abandoned and naturally deteriorate over time. Then comes the need to rethink the role that these spaces might play in urban regeneration of old industrial sites. Based on this analysis, the present study focuses on the case of Porto, particularizing the east side of town, where is the Matadouro Municipal do Porto. It's an area marked by strong contrasts where the presence infrastructure creates a barrier that break the continuity of space. Thus, the resolution of urban problems that are here, result of uncritical overlapping interventions, is an intention in the proposal. In this sense, the detailed plan das Antas, the architect Manuel Salgado, who plans a "new centrality", reflects the concern of ordering this part of town. Given the geographical proximity of the Matadouro and Praça da Corujeira, this management territorial tool empowers, in turn, its development and redevelopment. Accordingly, this proposal suggests, not just one possible use for the building, but simultaneously the systematization of the urban space: rearranges blocks, introduces structural elements and redevelop the urban public space.