Urban Transformation and Social Movements: A Case Study of Lisbon's Martim Moniz Square

This thesis aims to explore the transformation of urban public spaces, taking as a case study the Martim Moniz Square in Lisbon, Portugal. Due to its location in the culturally diverse and historically significant neighbourhood of Mouraria, the square is a place that lends itself to examining more general urban phenomena such as gentrification, urban regeneration, and participatory processes. Lisbon’s unique historical and socio-economic environment, shaped over time by critical events such as the 1755 earthquake, the authoritarian government of the Estado Novo and the 2008 financial crisis, provides the framework for this research. Especially in popular neighbourhoods like Mouraria, these events, together with the more recent pressures of globalisation and neoliberal policies, have drastically altered the social and cultural landscape. Martim Moniz Square has become the embodiment of economic and social conflicts, particularly in the wake of the 2018 restructuring plans that gave rise to large-scale popular movements and demonstrations. The objective of this study is to critically examine community involvement in planning processes, highlighting the potentials and problems associated with participatory governance in the urban context. The study thus aims to analyse how social interactions, power relations and cultural practices have contributed to the formation and re-appropriation of urban environments, drawing on key theories such as Michel Foucault’s “Heterotopias”, David Harvey’s “Right to the City” and Henri Lefebvre’s “Production of Space”. The research adds to the broader conversation on urban struggles and environmentally and socially equitable spatial planning, emphasising, through the case of Martim Moniz, the need for inclusive and context-sensitive methods for urban development that truly empowers residents.