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Urban Rehabilitation and Tourism: Lessons from Porto (2010–2020)

Author

Listed:
  • José Fernandes

    (Geography and Spatial Planning Research Centre (CEGOT), University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal)

  • Pedro Chamusca

    (Communication and Society Research Centre (CECS), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal)

  • Jorge Pinto

    (Institute for Social Sciences, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (ISCET), Geography and Spatial Planning Research Centre (CEGOT), 4050-180 Porto, Portugal)

  • José Tenreiro

    (Centro de Investigação Gallaecia, Universidade Portucalense, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal)

  • Pedro Figueiredo

    (Worst Tours, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Cities experience rapid growth and transformation. Over the past decades, change has been particularly intense and complex, associated to globalization, spatial compression and temporal acceleration. Within this context, the EU funds introduced new urban rehabilitation dynamics that made a city center more and more attractive. This, alongside the growth of international tourism, has increased the number of city users, which has furthered the discussion on the relation between the physical, economic, social and environmental intervention of the city, as well as the debates on the positive and negative impacts of tourism in cities. With that in mind, we look at the intense change that occurred in the city of Porto, Portugal, in the period from an intense economic crisis to the COVID-19 confinement. We consider changes in buildings, retail and policies to conclude that a neoliberal attitude favoured a tourism-led and sustainability blind gentrification. Based on a survey and analysis of 50 urban rehabilitation initiatives in downtown Porto and on the analysis of recent public policies, we discuss the relation between urban rehabilitation and tourism in Porto, and therefore the effectiveness of public policies and its contribution to sustainable urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • José Fernandes & Pedro Chamusca & Jorge Pinto & José Tenreiro & Pedro Figueiredo, 2023. "Urban Rehabilitation and Tourism: Lessons from Porto (2010–2020)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6581-:d:1122485
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dalia Perkumienė & Rasa Pranskūnienė, 2019. "Overtourism: Between the Right to Travel and Residents’ Rights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Lang, Thilo, 2005. "Insights in the British Debate about Urban Decline and Urban Regeneration," IRS Working Papers 32, Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS).
    3. Ko Koens & Albert Postma & Bernadett Papp, 2018. "Is Overtourism Overused? Understanding the Impact of Tourism in a City Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Jorge Sequera & Jordi Nofre, 2020. "Touristification, transnational gentrification and urban change in Lisbon: The neighbourhood of Alfama," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(15), pages 3169-3189, November.
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