The morphology of old urban centres: architectural and constructive survey of Bairro Ribeirinho of Faro, Portugal

This article addresses the issue of constructive characterization and morphology of an ancient urban centre of the city of Faro, enhancing further reflection on the assessment of vulnerability and risk in the occurrence of natural and human source disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods or urban fires. The implementation of both protection and revitalization strategies to our historic and architectural heritage are fundamental to preserve our cultural identity. Thus, the process of inventorying of the Riverside neighbourhood of Faro, named Bairro Ribeirinho, presenting a summary of the main typologies and construction techniques, is assumed as an asset to the municipal authorities and civil protection, in view of establishing strategies and urban intervention plans to mitigate the risk associated with these disasters, by reducing the vulnerability of old buildings.