Praia

Praia's historic centre occupies the Plateau above its port. Its nineteenth-century plan combines a regular street network with broad avenues, squares and gardens, establishing a compact administrative centre whose public spaces remain integral to its urban form.

Much of the older fabric consists of one- and two-storey buildings. Some retain government functions, while others have been adapted for cultural and educational uses. The relationship between street layout, open spaces and the scale of these buildings distinguishes the Plateau within the city. Pressure for taller construction has become a conservation concern, because changes in height can alter the proportions of the historic centre as well as individual buildings.