After Decolonization: Changes in the Urban Landscape of Platô in Praia, Cape Verde. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Górny, Krzysztof; Górna, Ada
• Is Part Of: Journal of urban history. Volume 45:Number 6(2019:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1103
• Page End: 1130
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: urban landscape -- decolonization -- colonial built heritage -- urban space -- Praia -- Cape Verde -- West Africa; Cities and towns -- History -- Periodicals; 909.09732
• DOI: 10.1177/0096144218816704
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0096-1442

Abstract

This article addresses colonial built heritage in the urban landscape of Platô, Praia's historical center. It is based on field work conducted by the authors in 2017. The aim of this article is to define the extent and rate of change in the urban landscape of Platô, from Cape Verde's independence in 1975 to 2017. The authors focus mainly on the following traces of material colonial built heritage: architecture, streets, symbolic elements and public spaces, while simultaneously describing their immaterial dimensions. The analysis is preceded by a historical overview, which includes the stages of Praia's spatial development. The authors argue that the colonial legacy in the urban landscape of Platô is constantly changing in functionality and meaning, and is progressively disappearing due to rapid social, economic, and political changes combined with a lack of adequate measures on the part of the country's authorities to preserve its colonial built heritage.