ABSTRACT

In this chapter, the authors utilize Henri Lefebvre’s production of space and Edward Soja’s approach on the consequential geographies to understand the urban production of space by migrant communities in metropolitan areas, and utilize a mixed methodology that allows one to reflect on the triad proposed by Lefebvre from an empirical perspective. The history of Quinta do Mocho illustrates a part of the complex process of territorial and social reorganisation that characterised Portugal and especially the metropolitan area of Lisbon since the 1970s. The authors highlight the connection between conceived space/representation of space and lived space/space of representation/thirdspace, continuously interacting and redefining according to the norms, knowledge, identities and actions of the actors and their collective and individual use of urban space. The original neighbourhood of Quinta do Mocho is a good example of an informal and bottom-up response to the strong demand for housing by immigrants.