Introduction
Waterfront New Life
9
The area of intervention is located in the heart of the cork region. Cork trees are a national asset. The presentation by Cristina Verissimo focused on the richness of this material, and the extraordinary example of a sustainable ecosystem. The cork has been pealed from the trees and being used in the construction for its insulation characteristics. Recently it is being used in many other products. Scientists are using cork in various fields mainly in of cutting edge technology products. Cork and its derivatives emerge as iconic material that offers comfort, saves energy consumption while the trees produces oxygen in a perfectly adapt ecosystem tested for several centuries.
Municipalities attempt to give the legal frame work for the new design solutions is depending on various bodies of governmental, regional, environmental and municipal institutions. At present, the organization of governmental related institutions is such that there is little articulation and short cooperation. The complexity of legal procedures present profound contradictions. These institutions follow administrative procedures but not value holistic solutions, in particular if they require to think above procedures. To understand such proposals one must think beyond procedures and regulations.
The main challenge is how to attract capital and compete with other economic centers, while enhance the environment, natural and urban.
It might be waste less to think beyond procedures and regulations. However among our group we come to realize that new ideas take some time to be understood by the community and it is the task of academics to launch new ideas that eventually challenge the current situation.
The three main topics Nature – Community – Industry design a triangle holding each on the side. It is a fragile equilibrium. A balanced situation, that aims for a sustainable arrangement between the three, is possible. To reach good results, the needs from each side of the triangle must be taken in consideration.
The beaches along the coast, dream for surfers, hold surf schools that operate around the year. The lagoons and the untouched natural ecosystem are the place for nest birds. A paradise for bird watchers, tourists that come to enjoy and observe nature in its primitive state interrupted only by discrete human footprints.
City planning and master plans are evolving towards the denial of thought, where the procedure becomes more important than the possibility of thinking.
The natural environment is being supported to protect wild life but how it may bring an added value for the industry competiveness?
The proposals envision an holistic approach where constrains are to be integrated in the design solution.
And finally how nature and industry can be taken as an opportunity to value urban life.
Large oil facilities connected with the Port of Sines though pipelines claim to be the largest energy supplies of the country. Due to their efficient organization they are positioned as an important engine not only for the national economy, but for the Iberian Peninsula.
The interdisciplinary approach present solutions that integrate economic activity, protection of nature and the needs of the community.
The difference of approaches leads to opposite choices when dealing with urban infrastructures and natural resources.
Cork tree ecosystem is close to a zero carbon emission enviroment while increasing the production of cork enhances the balance between nature and humen presence and create a better world.
Sines cultural events have been attracting an increase number of public that enjoy cultural richness and diversity, such is the World Music Festival among others. Some of the proposals published in this book are away from the legal possibility to be implemented. They can be considered Utopian or too far from legal viability, however we believe they are clever and possible in a near future.
From a philosophical point of view this is not necessarily opposed. The complexity of nature is yet to be understood, and the main question is how the urban environment can be improved to host industrial activity.
Through the publication of design proposals we try to
[...] new ideas take some time to be understood by the community and it is the task of academics to launch new ideas that eventually challenge the current situation.