Urban requalification projects along the water. Promoting the preservation of the railway heritage on the banks of the Douro River (Oporto/Portugal)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to promote Oporto’s railway heritage located on the banks of the Douro River. The railway connection between Lisbon and Oporto was part of the first Portuguese railway plans. However, due to the natural features of the Douro River, the implementation of the railway in Oporto was only possible at the end of the 19th century, and a connection to the river was built in 1888. Meanwhile, the port of Leixões was already replacing Oporto’s port services. At the end of the 20th century, the initial configuration of the Oporto railway was altered and part of its infrastructure was deactivated. Currently, some of the areas occupied by the old railway are undergoing interventions, but the urban requalification proposals do not clearly present initiatives to preserve the railway heritage. For this reason, it is important to promote knowledge about the history of railways in Oporto.