World Heritage Site Olinda in Brazil: Proposals for Intervention (Dutch, English, Electronic book text)

How can a World Heritage city develop within the periphery of a Brazilian metropolis? This is the challenge for Olinda, near Recife. It is one of the first cities in Brazil, founded in 1535, and contains large historic monuments, such as convents. The location of Olinda on a hill next to the Atlantic Ocean, makes up a beautiful townscape, in particular seen from nearby Recife. No major historic city in Brazil offers such an extended landscape within the city itself. Olinda ia an independent municipality wth almost 370,000 inhabitants. The municipality has the characteristics of the typical periphery, with poverty, unployment, lacking urban facilities and a precarious infrastructure. This is echoed in the historic centre, which suffers from deterioration, nvasions of the green space, heavy traffic and a poorly developed tourist infrastructure. Still the centre makes up the image and pride of the city. The question is how the historic centre can contribute to revitalize Olinda and its economy.