Centers of identity and cultural landscapes: perspectives for urbanistic heritage in Brazil, Cape Verde, and Mozambique

Abstract

This paper intends to discuss the existing challenges in the field of patrimonialization of urban areas in cities with heritages of Portuguese influence in Brazil, Cabo Verde and Mozambique, taking into account their particularities, their potentials and their synergies. This discussion focuses on the urbanistic heritage of five cities that represent different urban phenomena and heritage processes in these countries: Island of Mozambique and Maputo, in Mozambique; Mindelo, in Cabo Verde; Ouro Preto and Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. It is proposed to question the way in which these urban areas have been protected, especially with regard to the use of the notion of “historic center” that is recurrent in these processes. This paper also intends to verify the viability of other approaches and concepts that can better translate the cultural values of the urbanistic heritage, such as “center of identity” and “cultural landscape”. Finally, it is expected that the contribution of this discussion lies, mainly, on new perspectives on the subject, based on an international south-south debate, in order to shareexperiences and lessons learned in these contexts.