Douro Carboniferous System: Integration of the Built Environment Heritage Aspect within the Territorial Planning Framework

Daniela Alves Ribeiro

doi:10.3390/heritage2010008

Abstract

In society energy is the most evident representation of the relationship between technology, economics, and culture and, therefore, formalizes itself in territorial transformations subjugated to the logic of its production, transportation, and consumption. Energy production based on what was the only Portuguese fuel—mineral coal—gave rise to the Carboniferous System of the Douro (Sistema Carbonífero do Douro (SCD)), extending from the social support structures close to the places it was mined to the (infra)structure systems of, and in, Porto (Portugal). Given this system, the relationship of it within the territory takes on particular importance in its understanding as heritage. The system seeks to reach conclusions about the integration of its heritage condition within territorial transformation policies. To do so, it seeks to understand how “structural invariants” which determine nuclei of this system are understood within the scope of the planning instruments and territorial management in force and, therefore, making conclusions regarding the mismatch between the recognition of heritage and its valorization of such as well as the difficulty of creating a prospective heritage understanding. As an alternative, the promotion of inclusive territorial management planning processes, which go beyond municipal management, capable of (re)producing territorializing actions that enhance and support heritage.

Highlights

Energy is the most evident representation of the relationship between technology, economics, and culture and, formalizes itself in territorial transformations subjugated to the logic of its production, transportation, and consumption [1,2]
Energy production based on what was the only Portuguese fuel—mineral coal—gave rise to the Carboniferous System of the Douro
Linked to Portugal’s national desire to reflect the economic and social changes introduced by the Industrial Revolution, the actual need for energy autonomy meant that for decades the protection given to national fuel sources [4] made mining of coal in the Douro Coal Basin

Summary

Introduction

Energy is the most evident representation of the relationship between technology, economics, and culture and, formalizes itself in territorial transformations subjugated to the logic of its production, transportation, and consumption [1,2]. Carbonífero do Douro (SCD)) (1795–1994) [3], extending from the social support structures close to the places it was mined to the (infra)structure systems of, and in, Porto (Portugal). Linked to Portugal’s national desire to reflect the economic and social changes introduced by the Industrial Revolution, the actual need for energy autonomy meant that for decades the protection given to national fuel sources [4] made mining of coal in the Douro Coal Basin Douro (BCD)) [5], the base of this system, viable (Figure 1). Heritage 2019, 3 FOR PEER REVIEW Figure Douro Coal Basin

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion