The Impact of Pollution on Cultural Heritage in the Historic Centre of Porto, Portugal

Pollution significantly accelerates the deterioration of stone facades in Porto's historic center, particularly in high-traffic areas. A study comparing three churches—Carmelitas, São João Novo, and Vitória—revealed that Carmelitas Church, located in a busier part of the city, exhibited far more severe damage due to direct exposure to pollutants. The research employed an anomalies survey using photographic records, adapting a methodology originally developed for Carmo Church in Olinda, Pernambuco. This approach allowed for the assessment of pollution effects over time while contextualizing the structural and material characteristics of each case study. The findings underscore the urgent need for mitigation measures, aligning with Porto's existing climate change adaptation initiatives as part of the Portuguese Camino to Santiago.

Silva, F. M., Arreiol, M., & Fragata, A. (2024). The Impact of Pollution on Cultural Heritage in the Historic Centre of Porto, Portugal. Urban Science, 8(2), 31. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020031