Juliana Hill

Thesis in Architectural Design

Redevelopment of former industrial area in Lisbon

Giuliana Collina's Thesis
Contact Email: gicollina@gmail.com
University of Rome "La Sapienza" Faculty of Architecture "Valle Giulia"
EU Architecture Degree Course
Speaker: Prof. Alfonso Giancotti
Co-supervisor (foreign) prof. Pedro Pacheco    
Academic Year 2009 - 2010

The study area that is the subject of this thesis is located in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is situated in the Alcantara district. This area has always had an important position within the organization of the city of Lisbon. It develops in the terminal part of a large valley, called the Alcantara valley and overlooks the Tejo river, which runs along the entire city. In the past, a river flowed along the valley, which was navigated for commercial purposes. Since the 60th century, various industrial activities have been established along the coastal part, which have developed more and more over time. Today, most of the industrial activities have transformed into tertiary activities. The port activity is still very strong and numerous areas are used for container storage. The river that flowed in the Alcantara valley at the end of the XNUMXs was channeled underground and now residential settlements have developed along the slope of the valley, while at the bottom of the valley the river traffic has been replaced by rubber and rail traffic. In Alcantara, several cultural initiatives are also emerging, including museums and exhibition galleries and the nightlife is among the liveliest in Lisbon.
This is an area that despite its centrality has numerous urban voids, large areas in a state of abandonment are surrounded by dilapidated buildings and at the same time there are new interventions, punctual and modern. My proposal therefore aims at the redevelopment and regeneration of the urban fabric by "stitching" the various existing parts through new interventions. It returns the city to the people through the establishment of residential architecture and public spaces.