IMPLICATIONS OF THE URBAN EXPANSION IN THE (TRANS)FORMATION OF CENTRALITY AND ARCHITECTURE: THE OLD TOWN CENTRE OF NATAL (BRAZIL)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24220/2318-0919v0n14a774Keywords:
Accessibility, Centrality, Spatial configuration, Urban expansion, Intra-urban, Municipality of Natal, BrazilAbstract
The article addresses the transformation of the intra-urban space of Natal, in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, by focusing on the effect exerted by the urban grid expansion over the architectural essemble, especially in the original settlement area and former town centre known as Cidade Alta. The town’s expansion was examined according to the notion of urban extensors whereas the grid was modelled according to the social logic of space to represent successive stages of development, analyzed in its spatial structure by way of diachronic representations.
Thus, differences in topological accessibility and potential centrality at each stage could be
evaluated. Relations between the city’s spatial configuration and architectural form and use
are also discussed in the light of the idea of natural movement. Key issues concerning recent interventions are also referred to in relation to topological accessibility, architectural integrity and urban animation.
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