Abstract
The construction of the railway lines in the cities has led to relevant territorial transformations and instigated the first urban planning operations all over the world. In Portugal, the deployment of the railway line — even though late in the second half of the 19th century — had a crucial role in the transformation of the territory. This article analyses the relationships between the implementation of the railways and the urban development. This is clarified with the case study of the city of Albergaria-a-Velha, in Portugal, which takes part in the largest railway system named “Vale do Vouga” line. The article is organized into three main moments. First, the implementation of the railways in the cities, in general, is addressed. Then, in a second moment, the implementation of the railways in Portugal is studied. Finally, the article focuses on the case of Albergaria-a-Velha and the way the railways relate to the urban development in this territory. It was found that, initially, the deployment of the train line in Albergaria-a-Velha was not too invasive in the territory, occupying predominantly agricultural lands. Also, it is noticed that Albergaria-a-Velha suffered its greatest urban growth during the early 70s of the 20th century. This came about abruptly and unregulated, similarly to what occurred in several other cities during this period. In the current urban structure, the railway line is an element that clearly divides the city. But still, over time, the railway line was responsible for moments in which the city was redesigned and adapted to it, through the new buildings and streets. In fact, the railway line had an important role in the regulation of the urban fabric, shaping and defining the urban growth in Albergaria-a-Velha. We conclude that the railway line produces two opposite effects in the urban design of Albergaria-a-Velha. It regulates the space, but acts simultaneously as a barrier. Not only it conditions the roads that it crosses, but also conditions the limits on the development of urban form, while not preventing the urban growth.
Highlights
Over time, the railway line was responsible for moments in which the city was redesigned and adapted to it, through the new buildings and streets
The railway line had an important role in the regulation of the urban fabric, shaping and defining the urban growth in Albergaria-a-Velha
We conclude that the railway line produces two opposite effects in the urban design of Albergaria-a-Velha
Summary
This article develops and clarifies the relationship between railroad implementation and urban development, based on the case study of the city of Albergaria-a-Velha and its relationship with the Vouga valley railway line. Guaranteeing the transport of large volumes, the railway was welcomed by those who sought greater mobility, and by national industries seeking internationalization This leads to the quick expansion of the Portuguese railway network. Perhaps driven by fears of new invasions, in 1844, the Spanish crown established the track gauge (distance between rails) as 6 Spanish feet (1674mm) for the Spanish railways This decision condemned the Spanish trains to isolation from Europe that had adopted the track gauge of 1435mm. Isolated from central Europe, it was left to the two countries to structure a rail network that would reduce borders and distances between them To this end, in 1866 a treaty of free transit of railways was signed and in 1868 the Lisbon–Madrid line, the first between the two countries, was inaugurated. The main intention of the plan was clearly just to connect Lisbon to the North, to the South and to Spain, neglecting the remaining agglomerations [15]
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