This is the second post of a two part series on the Teleférico de Gaia in Porto. Click here for part 1.
DESIGN
Due to the vast array of architecture from different eras (and attitudes) in Porto, the most interesting part of the Teleférico de Gaia is how its designers have expertly weaved it into the urban fabric.
Concerns for cable car aesthetics are typically heightened in sensitive urban environments but in this case, implementing an urban gondola in a UNESCO World Heritage Site makes its that much more difficult – not to mention there are many high value homes located beside the top station.
Designers were given the challenge of creating a system that was visually appealing yet did not take away from the area’s historical importance.
Despite travelling 60+ meters above ground level, visitors to Porto will immediately notice one thing about the cable car – and that is, they don’t. Look closely at (or for) the colours and materials of the cabins, stations and towers.
View from alfresco dining across the Douro River in Ribeira. Can you spot the cable car? Image by Nicholas Chu.
View from the Douro River. The greyish black cabins blend into the stone walls, thus protecting the visual integrity of the site. Image by Nicholas Chu.
The top station is cleverly designed to match the style and colour of the buttress. Image by Nicholas Chu.
The concrete exterior and style of the top station matches the adjacent modern residential developments. Image by Nicholas Chu.
The white tower blend into the white facades of the wine cellars. Image by Nicholas Chu.
The bottom station is designed with vertical metal slats where the ropeway components are housed in a simple rectangular frame. The station easily blends in with the architectural styles of the many nearby modern bars and restaurants. Image by Nicholas Chu.
The lesson is clear, hiring competent architects who understand the local context will help you design an awesome transport system without breaking the bank.
Passengers have found other ways to enjoy the calming and ambient noises of a passing cable car. Image by Nicholas Chu.
Visitors sitting on concrete cubic blocks at bottom station, helping further stimulate pedestrian activity and adding animation to both cable car and riverfront. On an aside, notice the station is elevated. This helps protect sensitive ropeway equipment during floods. Image by Nicholas Chu.
Back to the top station. Notice how users are immediately and naturally drawn to the cable car via the viewing deck. Image by Nicholas Chu.
The Teleférico de Gaia demonstrates that cable cars themselves are not inherently ugly as many detractors would lead one to believe. Can a cable car be an eye-sore? Of course but this rule applies to anything that’s poorly designed.
In fact, this is a great reminder that with good design and planning, cable car systems can contribute positively to, rather than detract from the urban environment (even in UNESCO World Heritage sites!).
From my personal observations, the architects might have done too good of a job – so much so that the system is practically invisible to the general populace. During my time there, I noticed that tourists seemed completely unaware that a cable car was traveling over their heads and around them.
Instead, they were too busy going about their travels and snapping up pictures. The gondola seemed an afterthought.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
Knowing that North Americans tend to value privacy, I was curious about the response of the local community to a cable car operating at their doorsteps.
Naturally, when the system was first proposed, there were concerns about privacy and noise. But as it was explained to me, these issues quickly evaporated and residents learned to co-exist peacefully with the cable car.
While privacy concerns will always exist, this system does demonstrate once again that cable cars can be respectfully and tastefully built near residential homes in a Western context if the proper precautions are taken into consideration.
Perhaps a cable car was seen as a nuisance at first, but after awhile it has become background noise. Notice there’s a person sunbathing without any concern or care for the cable car. The homes also have reflective glass, thus limiting any loss of privacy. Image by Nicholas Chu.
Instead of being antagonistic and hostile, nearby residents decided to work with the cable car and opened a little rooftop garden to beautify their home and welcome visitors. Image by Nicholas Chu.
FUTURE PLANS
To provide an even fuller tourist experience, the Teleférico de Gaia is now planning to open a new restaurant at its top station. Once it is complete in the short-mid term, passengers will be able to enjoy a few drinks with a spectacular million-dollar view of Porto and Gaia. An exhibition of interesting artifacts (I won’t say what — you’ll have to visit yourself) will also open to accompany the restaurant and thrill visitors.
Restaurant space (look for white roof covering) seen on the top floor of the station. Access is restricted at the moment. Image by Nicholas Chu.
Overall, the Teleférico de Gaia’s presence in a growing visitor destination and a topographically challenging city satisfies both a tourist and local demand for better transport and attractions. While it is a modest urban cable car, it nevertheless is a fascinating gondola lift demonstrating once again that good design can solve anything.
A big thank you goes out to Claudio for taking time to show me the system.