Portos como âncora de desenvolvimento territorial das pequenas e médias cidades portuárias com canais: porto e cidade de Aveiro

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to assess the role of harbours as anchors for territory development of small and medium sized European cities with water canals, as central elements for spatial and functional urban organisation. The study case “Harbour and City of Aveiro” is analysed on various territory and time scales based on a benchmarking analysis that having as examples of study of the small and medium sized cities of Gent, Bruges, Mechelen, Venice, Huelva and their respective surrounding harbours, considering a population ranging between 20.000 and 500.000 inhabitants, according to the report Europe 2000+ (CE, 1995).So as to accomplish this purpose, the research intends to structure a matrix for analysis criteria as the main quantitative and qualitative analysis tool.Thus the research shall rely on various methods, namely a compilation of graphic and bibliographic material, and corresponding analysis on a local and regional scale and later interpretation of territorial realities expressed on the matrix of criteria analysis and cartography.