The Sustainable Heritage of Vernacular Architecture: The Historic Center of Oporto

Architecture is the result of different generative dynamics. Vernacular architecture is an example of building within inherent sustainable characteristics. By using a conceptual structure based on the architectural main components, it is possible to recognize the interrelations established in the past, and the ones crucial to respect in the present. The architectural values of the historic center of Oporto are analyzed, regarding the interactions of both its generative main topics and inherent sustainable values. In our historic centers we can see sustainability within architecture, as a whole, helping us to understand what components we must focus, why, when and where.