The Bay as a Port: José Coelho da Gama e Abreu (ca. 1855-1894) Civilizing and Urban Thought

ABSTRACT

Cities, civilizations, and ports were used by José Coelho da Gama e Abreu to understand rivers and seas. In the nineteenth century, these were perceived mainly for their usefulness - for locomotion of people or food provision, for example. This notion is fundamental in the formation of the urban thinking by Gama e Abreu, an important actor in the configuration of Belém (Pará) in the second half of the nineteenth century. This article intends to address his perception not only of the rivers, but also of the civilizations he knew, and analyze how those civilizations interfered in his actions in the city of Belém, mainly through the important urban changes carried out during that period.

Keywords:
Belém (Pará); Gama e Abreu; urban history; Amazon