Habitar para preservar: a conservação integrada nos programas de requalificação no centro histórico de São Luís

Abstract

The Historic Center of São Luís is known for the exceptionality of its urban and architectural complex with Portuguese-Brazilian characteristics. Recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage since 1997, it has a history of more than 400 years since its French foundation. The old nucleus underwent socio-spatial and economic transformations caused by the expansion of the city and the negligence of the authorities, which caused, throughout the 20th century, a process of emptying in the region, causing changes not only in the socioeconomic situation but in the integrity of its historical landscape. From the 1980s onwards, the region began to receive investments from programs implemented to requalify the center through tourist, commercial and housing promotion incentives, having received five programs to date, some of which are still active. After the first programs were implemented in the historic center of São Luís, significant changes could be observed, but some questions remain pending. Understanding that rehabilitations in historic urban sites must be associated with mixed uses, especially with the housing issue, this exploratory research seeks to carry out a case study in the Historic Center of São Luís with the aim of understanding how housing is treated by public preservation policies in the historic core of the city, critically analyzing requalification policies in the region based in the principles of Integrated Conservation.