THRIVE - with heritage to sustainability

Abstract: The historic urban area of Lisbon emerged during the Middle Ages and was the origin of the development of a rather small neighbourhood, Mouraria. Not only did it count as the centre of the capital, but because of Lisbon being the metropolis of the Portuguese empire, Mouraria is now home to a diverse group of people, whose culture influences its special characteristics to this day. Its medieval structure was designed to be walkable and in human-scale and in a manner to make the best use out of its geographical location and local materials. However, influenced by the social, economic and environmental changes, the area is undergoing transformations that are not necessarily aligned with the current, global mission to aim for sustainable development. It is inhabited by the aging population and faces intensification of tourists inflows, which consequently has led to desertification and urban sprawl. Furthermore, its urban structure has been frequently densified showcasing strict separation from the natural environment, which nowadays results in an intensified vulnerability to extreme weather events such as heat waves, flash floods and droughts. It is now more relevant than ever to focus on historic urban areas like Mouraria and think of innovative ways to rehabilitate them, enhancing their intrinsic values and adapting them towards future urban challenges. This implies that the existing social and urban structures have to be transformed step by step, whereby sustainable mobility, multicultural and green neighbourhoods, as well as symbiotic tourist management are key aspects.