In today's seminar we will discuss this interesting documentary about the complex process of nominating a place for the UNESCO World Heritage status made by the anthropologist Catarina Alves Costa.

"The architect Álvaro Siza and his team are called to coordinate the Cidade Velha rehabilitation project in the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. The aim is to make the city’s application to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cidade Velha is a historic place: formerly called Ribeira Grande, it was the first city founded by the Portuguese in Cape Verde (1462). The process creates a great deal of expectations amongst the local population, who envisage it as a way of improving their life quality. This film tells the story of two worlds meeting each other - the architect and the population, while following some of the stories that happened in those three years…"

Prepare for the seminar by watching the movie in advance and prepare questions or issues to discuss in class.

"The Architect and the Old City" (2004), Catarina Alves Costa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNX-_fVzThg