The harbour at Viana do Castelo in Portugal: Planning in a vacuum

Harbour communities across Europe and the US are in the midst of major changes. Shifting trade regulations, declining supplies of fish, the rise of recreational boating and new shipping technologies have all contributed to these changes. In response, communities are undertaking major planning efforts to ensure that their harbours remain functional and prosperous. One example of this effort is the Port of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The thesis of this paper is that unless small and medium sized harbours have a strong and planned sense of direction, they will suffer an economic decline and lose their historic and cultural character.