Heritage is more than a collection of artifacts; it’s a living narrative shaped by landscapes, culture, and human ingenuity. My dissertation, “The Fluidscape as a Narrative Strategy for Connecting Heritage,” explores how the water-rich landscape of Condeixa, Portugal, serves as a medium to connect fragmented archaeological sites and reimagine heritage conservation in a climate-challenged world.
The Essence of Fluidscapes
Condeixa’s fluidscape is not just a natural resource—it’s the genius loci, or spirit, of this place. Water systems here, ranging from Roman aqueducts to Moorish irrigation canals, tell stories of past societies’ resilience, creativity, and harmony with the environment. Yet, these once-cohesive systems are now fragmented, echoing the spatial and temporal divides in the region’s settlements and historical layers.
A Landscape with Layers of History
Condeixa’s narrative begins with its karstic springs, which sustained Bronze Age inhabitants and evolved to supply the grandeur of the Roman city of Conimbriga. Through centuries, water systems adapted to new technologies and cultural shifts—agricultural irrigation by the Moors, medieval milling networks, and today, abandoned channels waiting for rediscovery.
Challenges of Preservation in a Changing Climate
These water systems, integral to Condeixa’s heritage, face risks of neglect and environmental degradation. Climate change exacerbates flooding and wildfire risks, threatening both cultural and natural landscapes. My thesis asks: How can we reconnect these fragments to preserve and adapt them for contemporary needs?
Designing with Fluidscapes: A Narrative Strategy
Using water as a guiding force, my thesis proposes a network of pathways linking Condeixa’s historical sites:
Roman Aqueduct Route: Following the aqueduct’s remains through olive groves.
Five Springs Route: Exploring the karstic springs that shaped ancient settlements.
Watermill Route: Tracing medieval mills along the Ribeira de Bruscos river.
Agricultural Route: Reviving irrigation systems amidst the region’s strip fields.
These pathways don’t just connect places; they revive forgotten stories, intertwine human and natural heritage, and promote sustainable mobility.
Lessons from the Past for a Sustainable Future
The ingenuity of Condeixa’s ancestors offers lessons for today:
Circular Water Use: Moorish systems recycled water through ditches and canals.
Gravity-Fed Designs: Roman aqueducts required no additional energy.
Community Resilience: Historical water systems fostered cooperation and equity.
Modern interventions inspired by these systems can mitigate contemporary challenges, from water scarcity to urban flooding.
A Vision for Condeixa
The design proposal for the Castellum de Alcabideque exemplifies how heritage can inform sustainable development. By enhancing accessibility, reforesting abandoned land, and integrating water into public spaces, the site becomes a living museum—honoring the past while addressing the future.
Conclusion
In Condeixa, water is more than a resource; it’s a storyteller, connecting fragmented histories and inspiring resilient futures. My thesis invites architects, planners, and communities to rethink landscapes—not as static relics, but as evolving narratives where heritage and sustainability intersect.
This work was developed as the conclusion of my Master’s degree in Architecture, Landscape, and Archaeology (ALA), a collaborative program by Sapienza Università di Roma, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, National Technical University of Athens, and Universidade de Coimbra. It was presented in July 2024 at Sapienza Università di Roma and in October 2024 at the FORMAC Forum of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Cyprus.