Historical and cultural heritage preservation in Porto should be emulated

"Historical and cultural heritage preservation in Porto should be emulated," said David Rossbach, Political Science Professor at Chatham University (Pittsburgh, USA), on a study visit to the city of Porto, last 12 May.

Professor Rossbach, currently researching on the impact of economic and financial crises on economic and social regeneration of cities and of urban neighbourhoods with a stronger emphasis on the public policy interest, stated that "Porto stands out for the way it merges old and new, preserving building facades and also investing in new designs".

In Porto, the visiting group - two teachers and 16 students - carried out an in situ observation of social housing rehabilitation and got to know the local government's policies regarding the built historical and cultural heritage preservation. In Sé and Bela Vista districts, the delegation had the opportunity to remark the infrastructure works related to the maintenance and conservation of derelict and degraded buildings and the implementation of new social projects as well.

 "The city's unified nature and dialogue skills at different levels in the city" was one of the most important characteristics of Porto that has astounded this American Political Scientist.

Also, Councilman for Innovation at Porto City Hall, Filipe Araújo, has welcomed the university research group at Porto Innovation Hub, highlighting the Tech-up Programme, which aims at refreshing skills to combat the brain drain in the region.

This research visit included students from 19 to 22 years ranging from various fields of study such as Political Science, Social Work, Psychology and Art Management, Biology, Marketing, Film Studies, Creative Writing and English. 

The students' common ground is the Portuguese History and Politics course, lectured by David Rossbach, who upon farewell, confided to Porto. that "Porto is definitely a city where I want to pursue my research under a Fulbright scholarship".

The entire group shared that people from Porto had won their hearts and minds.