São Luís/MA, historical heritage and redevelopment of central areas

An approach to the requalification of the colonial urban and architectural heritage and the contemporary forms of occupation of the Historic Centre of the city of São Luís/MA, based on a historical analysis of the processes of: the formation of the city, the emptying and devaluation of the central core, as well as its inclusion on the public policy agenda, through listed buildings, the restoration of historic properties and various attempts to rescue the area. A theoretical and pragmatic study is presented on the implementation of programmes in the city of São Luís/MA that have been directed towards its historic centre. It emerges that, despite the initiatives adopted over the last few decades, the study area is still a devalued and stigmatised region, with many abandoned buildings in a poor state of repair. Within this analysis, guidelines are proposed for the requalification of the Historic Centre of São Luís/MA and the effective occupation of the site, through the insertion of a framework of contemporary needs integrated into the city.