Ecological Approach as an Urban Solution for Sensitive Areas

The urban spaces of river banks are sensitive areas, not only in environmental terms but also considering the spatial planning rules. Often the spatial planning rules are focused on building and urban development questions rather than of ecological approaches. In this sense, this article aims to present an urban design project for a sensitive territory of river banks having as pivotal concern ecological solutions. This proposal is due to the requirement of linking the landscape features of river water fronts with the characteristics of the urban fabric. The case study area is the Train Station surroundings in Sao Pedro do Sul, a city in the central region of Portugal very well-known because of its thermal baths. It was proposed to the university team, on behalf of the Urban Planning Unit of the Master Degree in Architecture at the University of Beira Interior, by the Municipal authority. The students were organized in groups in order to propose the urban design projects, ensuring the continuity of the urban fabric with the Vouga river. The best projects won prizes (1st, 2nd and two honour awards) offered by the city hall. This fact was an extra motivation for students along to the design process in an academic environment comprising an international background (including Portugal, Greece, Brazil, Slovakia, Lithuania and Poland). Regarding the presented solution, the conclusions show that the main strategy was to preserve and to enhance the ecological identity of the place, possible given the agreement in between university and municipal authority, working together.