Thematic Lines of Work
Sea Coast Fortification is present in most countries with a coastal line or border. Portugal has a relevant set of fortified elements directly placed on the coast or related to it. There are also several and significant examples of sea coast fortified structures in the territories that were once under the Portuguese Crown. The same situation is to be found in a wide variety of countries that were involved in past settlement actions beyond their borders.
The evolution and history of these fortifications are related to the policies, government and organization, of each country involved in those settlement actions. The building techniques applied in their construction reflect the advances made at the time, and had major implications in future constructions. One must also consider the balance between monuments and their environmental and cultural surroundings which must not be dissociated. Finally there is the future: what uses can we give to these fortifications? How can we safeguard them? What activities can we promote?
These questions can be the starting point to an innovative scientific debate, one which understands sea coast fortification as a result of specific processes, and their need to come alive once more.
Abstracts and presentations will be integrated in one of the thematic session proposed:
1. History
a) the building
b) facts (military history)
c) military equipment
d) use of the military setting
| key-speaker: |
Prof. Nicolas Faucherre, University of Nantes, France |
2.
Structural elements and construction. Geographical setting
It will be given importance to papers reflecting:
• the analysis of the architectural models used in the fortifications as well as the building processes and materials.
• the analysis of the geographical settings of this fortifications.
| key-speaker: |
Prof. Mário Mendonça de Oliveira, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil |
3.
Restoration, monument preservation and environmental and landscape context
Current society is aware of the role of built heritage in modern times. Recognizing it as an important value, it has become urgent to promote the protection and conservation of monuments. It is important as well, to have a more thorough knowledge of these constructions and to study the possibility of their use by the community. Therefore we need to respect not only the heritage values, but the host communities and owner’s interests as well, along with the cultural and physical context. The environmental settings are, in modern approaches, essential to establish valorization programs.
| key-speaker: |
Mr. David M. Hansen, Ico-For, Vice President, U.S.A. |
4.
Cultural intervention and new uses
Protection, Conservation, Interpretation and Management are important challenges concerning our heritage. An effective communication strategy, oriented to both host and visiting communities, based on the monument’s significance and the need for its conservation, will allow economical growth based on heritage oriented activities. Such activities will become a true development factor.
| key-speaker: |
Prof. Miguel Angel Vinuesa, University Complutense of Madrid, Spain |