O crescimento urbano e a problemática da conservação das características do acervo arquitectonico: O caso das alçadas da Rua Grande, São Luís-Maranhão-Brasil

Esta dissertação estuda a problemática da conservação dos alçados da Rua Grande, localizada no Centro antigo da cidade de São Luís, capital do Estado do Maranhão, Brasil, a partir do crescimento urbano ocorrido principalmente a partir do século XIX à atualidade, com interferências devido às alterações do uso do solo. Iniciado com pesquisa in loco e nos departamentos de preservação do património arquitetónico do Município, Estado e Governo Federal, este estudo busca elaborar estratégias de intervenção adaptadas às necessidades locais, visando a participação da população, com cursos de educação patrimonial e consultas públicas. Esta proposta foi possível a partir da realização de diversas etapas de trabalho, partindo do enquadramento geral e histórico de São Luís, com foco específico na Rua Grande, discorrendo sobre a importância desta via ao desenvolvimento urbano da cidade. Desta forma, com vistas a possibilitar um melhor entendimento da morfologia urbana do Centro da cidade, analisou-se a malha delimitada pelo Anel Viário, importante via perimetral à zona central. Posteriormente, seguiu-se com a caracterização do acervo arquitetónico, com pesquisa acerca dos materiais e sistemas construtivos, permitindo o entendimento das diversas anomalias observadas a partir de análise laboratorial das amostras coletadas em algumas edificações. A elaboração de Cartas Temáticas permitiu um melhor entendimento de situações como uso do solo, gabarito, estilos arquitetónicos e dos estados de conservação e preservação, contando com o estudo da legislação local, o que permitiu, posteriormente, delinear-se as estratégias de intervenção. /SUMMARY: This dissertation examines the problems related to the conservation of the facades of the Grande street, located in the old city center of São Luis, capital of the northeastern state of Maranhão, Brazil, caused by the extensive urban growth that occurred from the XIX century to the current days, with numerous interferences due to changes in the building codes. The study began with a research in the federal, state and municipal departments of architectural heritage. The main objective was to suggest strategies of intervention adapted to the local needs, with community participation such as educational courses and public consultations. This proposal was made possible after completing several phases of work, starting with the general framing and historical background of São Luis, focusing on the Grande street, portraying the important role played by this street in the urban development of the city. Thus, with the intention of allowing a better understanding of the urban morphology in the city center, an analysis was made within the area limited by the road ring that surrounds the center. The study continued with the characterization of the architectural estate, with a research about the materials and construction systems, allowing the understanding of the several anomalies observed in the laboratorial analysis on the samples gathered from some buildings. The elaboration of the Thematic Charts allowed for a better understanding of the situation, such as land use, building codes, architectural styles and level of conservation and preservation, taking into account the local regulations, which made possible to set out some strategies of intervention.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens (Avis): da história e memória do lugar à sua salvaguarda e valorização

A Igreja de Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens constituiu-se como o principal centro de romaria e peregrinação do concelho de Avis. No seu auge, nos inícios do século XX, as festividades ocuparam as primeiras páginas de jornais locais e distritais e abarcavam eventos como torneios de futebol, fanfarras, distribuição de enxovais a crianças carenciadas, entre outros, organizados pela Confraria com o mesmo nome, o que espelha a importância do culto. Porém, a construção da barragem do Maranhão, na década de 50 do século XX, veio isolar o local, aumentando as distâncias do mesmo à vila e aldeias mais próximas, diminuindo consequentemente a afluência de peregrinos e colocando o local em perigo do ponto de vista material e imaterial. Neste sentido, é imperativo que seja feito o seu levantamento histórico, arquitetónico, cultural e patrimonial, e que se lancem as bases para uma proposta de salvaguarda do património, em termos materiais e imateriais; Church of Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens (Avis): From the history and memory of the place to its safeguarding and enhancement ABSTRACT: The Church of Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens was established as the main pilgrimage center of the municipality of Avis. At its peak, in the early twentieth century, its festivities occupied the front pages of local and districtal newspapers and events such as football tournaments, fanfares, distribution of textiles to children in need, among others, were organized by the Confraternity of the same name, which reflects the importance of this investigation. However, the construction of the Dam of Maranhão, in the 50's of the twentieth century, came to isolate the site, increasing the distances to the nearby villages, thereby decreasing the influx of pilgrims and putting the local in danger from a material and immaterial point of view. Therefore, a historical, architectural and cultural survey of this site is imperative, as well as a proposal to the material and immaterial safeguard of this heritage.

Territorialisation and power in Portuguese America. The creation of comarcas (16th-18th centuries)

The general aim of this article is to analyse the political organisation of the territory in Portuguese America from the start of the building up of the Crown judiciary system from in the 16th to the 18th centuries and to look into the causes of its belatedness in comparison to what happened in Spanish America. The focus will however be on the comarcas through the reconstitution of the process leading to the setting up of these judiciary divisions. Four stages of this process will be identified and discussion will ensue over the social and political contexts in which these political and administrative novelties came to happen. It is claimed that the delay in the structuring of the judicial network in the States of Brazil and Maranhão stems from the fact that the Portuguese advance into the territories took place at a later stage. The comparisons between the two systems will also bring other differences to the fore, not least the greater rigidity of the Spanish model in contrast to the more experimental character of the Portuguese one, and the resilience found to exist in the donatarial system. It is also worth to point out that given solutions were the result of the will of central power as much as of local initiative, and it is suggested that the building up of the crown’s political apparatus (in which the judiciary network is included) brought about the connivance,albeit ephemeral, of social interests which are considered contradictory or irreconcilable by some authors.