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Urban evolution, a primary question of Urban Geography, has always been limited by the lack of continuous spatial-temporal data. Recently, this limitation has been overcome by the processing in Geographic Information System of sequential snapshots acquired by Remote Sensing. Therefore, we use the Landsat archive to reveal the (dis)similarities of the urbanization process (rhythm and modes) experienced by the municipalities of Braga and Guimarães between 1984 and 2016. The results show that, more than temporal (When?) or quantitatively (How much?), the urbanization process in the two municipalities presents spatial disparities (Where? and How?). The Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) highlights that more than 50% of urban growth occurs in contiguity with the pre-existing fabric. Infilling constitutes the second most important mode in Braga, but not in Guimarães, where this position is occupied by outlying growth. Consequently, in Braga the urban perimeter captures better the urbanization process than in Guimarães. Thus, LEI can make an important contribution to the understanding of diffuse urbanization, a territorial model constantly called banal, and that - due to such an assertion - has been ignored in relation to other problem-areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VII Annual Conference of the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning (IGOT) discussed the topic of planning livable cities in the twenty-first century, from which two articles were prepared by Jorge Gaspar and Horacio Capel to be published in this issue of Finisterra - Revista Portuguesa de Geografia. This commentary highlights the main contributions of these two articles for a research agenda on future of cities, exploring some avenues for an alternative geographic research of cities and urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the second half of the 20th century there was a massive surge of illegal building in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Oporto. Houses were built without the proper licenses issued by the Municipalities that are also responsible for the supervision of constructions by private individuals. As a result of the building illegal nature, good urban planning practices were not taken into account; this led to problems in urban space and compromised its organization and evolution. quinta do Conde (sesimbra) was an Urban area developped illegaly (aUgi, the Portuguese acronym), whose first allotments were made in the 1960s. However, several factors have contributed to enhance its appeal, generating intense, constructive and functional population dynamics. the offer of trade and services exhibited deep changes since its inception, shifting from a business predominantly associated with food trade and construction, which had an incipient structure and familial organisation, to a more diversified product range, some of which quite specialised, in a more structured urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the significance and importance of the current expansion of urban space in Brasília it is necessary to ascertain how to articulate the actions for the city's capitalist reproduction. We further need to understand how they configure new centralities, considering the spatial dimension as a mediator of these actions, given the necessity imposed by the transformation process of urbanization and the economy supported by public planning. In order to explain this process, we developed an analysis based on three main points: (i) the model of urban planning and management, and the action of agents and players who participate in it; (ii) the political actions related to the reproduction of new urban poles of animation; (iii) the role of government in the strengthening of the private sector for the entrepreneurial management of the city, through partnerships between the public and private sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper draws upon sociodemographical changes of the last two decades in the Algarve region. Two main purposes are: to describe and interpret the meaning of these changes and to confront this analysis with recent studies and with the classical definitions of sub-regional areas. Using the classical perspectives as a starting point we then present the cluster analysis for 1991 and for 2001. Four territorial profiles are presented which reflect two main trends: urbanization and marginalization. Lastly, we focus on a specific municipality – São Brás de Alportel – where strong sociodemographical dynamics have been identified despite its inland localization, enabling a more in-depth analysis and a discussion of the presented trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note aims to discuss the industrialisation in the context of the State of São Paulo. The topic of industrialisation will be approached from the historical and geographical perspectives,. Thus, we will try to understand the industrial dimension taking into account its different moments, relating, when possible, the variables concerning the transformation in territorial dynamics in São Paulo State both in the past and in the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international image of Barcelona has come to be associated with an innovative urban model known as the "Barcelona model", which dates back to the 1980s. This model is not limited to such central aspects of urban planning as public policies and new economic strategies. Instead, some of its key features are concerned with social inclusion, urban culture and citizen participation. However, the model itself has evolved over time and has been the object of heated debates and controversy. The aim of the article is to discuss this model and some of the main praises and criticisms it raised. This is done with a view to contributing to the debate around the following challenge: how are we to achieve an adequate balance between short-term projects and long-term public and private urban planning strategies, as well as between public leadership and social consensus? The authors of the articles included in this issue of Finisterra - for which this article also serves as an introduction - have undertaken substantial research on the political, economic and social processes that drive this city and its metropolitan area. They highlight some of the complex situations that arise at various scales within the context of this model and they discuss their various consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of intense urbanisation, green spaces have become elements of ever greater importance for the quality of the urban environment. How do citizens perceive these spaces? Which behavioural patterns do they exhibit? Which key advantages and limitations do they most often associate with these spaces? This article presents the results of a study undertaken in the city of Bragança, which aimed at assessing how the city's resident population perceives and uses its public green spaces. Among other conclusions, it was found: i) that the various social groups exhibit different use patterns; ii) that these use patterns are strongly characterised by seasonality; iii) that age is a significant determinant of the degree of preference for, alternatively, built facilities and natural elements; and iv) that the city's inhabitants consider the local green spaces to be of generally good quality, and generally acknowledge most of their social and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]