Paper short abstract:

The spatial configuration of the foundations of colonial Portuguese America followed the tradition of classical and vernacular urban lusitana. Foundations reflect any adjustment of these references to the means and resources available.

Paper long abstract:

The territory of Portuguese America was a vast field of urbanistic experimentation during the colonization period. Portuguese references and matrices originated different urban morphologies that possess elements of erudite and vernacular tradition adaptable to the local conditionality.

The physical-spacial configuration and the urban landscape of the first foundations possess traces of this cultural process which involved the adaptation of the scientific principles of Military Engineering, the Portuguese tradition on building cities, and the conditions that the environment and the process of consolidation n of a new society had determined.

The Portuguese expansion is a relevant contribution to the history of cities and urbanism. Different experiences in Africa, Asia, India and in America have given rise to urban forms that are at the same time exceptional and unique.

These experiences possessed a global and local character because the references of Portuguese culture were used in the territories of the Metropolis and the colonies.

In an effort to contribute with studies on this thematic, we will present in the form of a case study the urban morphology and landscape of the Village of Nossa Senhora da Vitória , founded circa of 1551, its spacial matrices and the multiple references of the Portuguese urban culture.