Architect Paulo David has warned about Funchal's fragility, advocating for the urgent need to rethink the city's urban development.
David proposes the creation of new centralities to address housing pressure without compromising the city's identity and fragility. He emphasized the importance of studying the territory and understanding its characteristics before any intervention, viewing the island as a constant source of learning due to its geography, landscape, and relationship with the ocean.
The architect highlighted research work with students from universities in Lisbon and Milan, who are studying Funchal and other territories to find solutions for urban challenges. Housing was identified as one of the challenges requiring new responses, with examples like the work developed in Machico. David also stressed that architecture should prioritize human experience, comfort, and how people inhabit spaces.
