Abstract

The areas of Cascais Municipality, one of the richest Municipalities in Portugal, located west to Lisbon, at the estuary of Tagus and the Atlantic Ocean coast is popular tourist destination. With its unique landscape it became the most attractive venue for spending vacations, for sport activities and leisure. It arose around the coastal town of Cascais, the former fishing village famous as a refuge for notables and claiming to be the most attractive part of Portuguese coast. With time this scenic resort became increasingly popular among inhabitants of the metropolitan Lisbon and well known as a fashionable nightspot and bar destination. In addition to bourgeoning nightlife, surfing competitions of national and international pedigree are held here. São Pedro do Estoril used to be a small village in Municipality of Cascais located on the Estoril Coast on the way between Cascais and Lisbon. Today, filled with summer houses and suburban villas it forms a part of a cosmopolitan suburb. The village stays in the shadow of well known Cascais and is often perceived as transit area to this main tourist destination. In this situation several new questions appear, as what to re-define in the space organization of this settlement so it can be perceived as an attractive place to live and visit. The article discuses those issues based on the student project realized during EWWUD 2014 workshop and located on the waterfront area with special emphasis on the beach of São Pedro do Estoril. The area has a unique geography which makes its beauty stand out. Despite the scenic beauty of the place after analyzing the potentials and problems of the site several issues were defined. It was the encounter of the water and earth that led to the origins of São Pedro do Estoril and was a forming factor throughout the long history of this settlement. Today as well, it gives opportunity for its future development as a metropolitan settlement. In the process of forming the project proposal the important questions were posted as how to expose the natural beauty of the village originating from the presence of the ocean and how to enhance its unique characteristics making it visible to the inhabitants and newcomers. The process of re-introduction of the ocean into the village will not only contribute to the quality of living in São Pedro do Estoril but also create a proper and sustainable reference for further evolution of this settlement in a future to come.

Authors (3)