Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 4(5), pp. 175 - 182
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2016.040501
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Urban Fragmentation and Discontinuity: Paranhos Case Study

Marcelo Altieri ^*, Rodrigo Rojas
Faculty of Engineering, Oporto University, Portugal

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to study design and urban planning tools able to create, enhance, transform or rescue the identity and cultural meaning of fragmented and discontinuous central/focal urban spaces. This work uses as a case study of Paranhos Parish in Porto, former peripheral area where, during the last fifty years has undergone relevant morphological and functional specialization changes. As a result, the region has lost its ability to define a central zone, with strong pulsar dynamic and able to structure the local character, making the territory a fragmented and discontinuous public space. Therewith, the cultural dimension and local meaning decrease significantly, been overshadowed by the heavy metropolitan road system. As it is a study focused on the design and urban planning, its methodology is supported by essays and empirical studies based on available built repertoire and designer cultural references. The narrative begins with a historical analysis, determining the evolution and current characteristics of the territory. Later, took place a study about the existing cores and the intrinsic urban dynamics developed, defining which has the most relevant social and cultural value - 'heart of the parish'. This step is complemented by a field research - interviews - on the main local agents and how the development of urban dynamics happens. Then, using an empirical analysis, it sets up the main promoters of the fragmentation of space and what their intrinsic characteristics. Finally, it is presented a proposal in public space able to create, enhance, transform or rescue the identity and cultural meaning inside parish focus point.

KEYWORDS
Urban Fragmentation, Urban Design, Local Meaning, Urban Core, Livability, Urban Pulsar

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Marcelo Altieri , Rodrigo Rojas , "Urban Fragmentation and Discontinuity: Paranhos Case Study," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 175 - 182, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2016.040501.

(b). APA Format:
Marcelo Altieri , Rodrigo Rojas (2016). Urban Fragmentation and Discontinuity: Paranhos Case Study. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 4(5), 175 - 182. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2016.040501.