Portuguese overseas railway legal framework (1857-1910) / Enquadramento legal do caminho de ferro ultramarino de Portugal (1857-1910)

The research developed within the scope of the ArchWar project “Dominance and mass-violence through Housing and Architecture during colonial wars. The Portuguese case (Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Mozambique): colonial documentation and post-independence critical assessment” (ref. PTDC/ART-DAQ/0592/2020) along with the archival management carried out at the Historic Overseas Archive, in Lisbon, in due time, will allow to unravel the impact of this colonial infrastructure on the Portuguese colonial project, taking into account both landscapes - the archival and the legal framework.

Interdisciplinary discussions that explore the intersection of Architectural History and Legal History are extremely valuable to the scientific debate. As Architectural History expands towards the cultural history of the built environment, surpassing traditional focus on design and artistic aspects, Legal History encompasses a broader scope than legislated law, including legal institutions, practices, and procedures. By intertwining these fields, investigation may seek to shed light on the complex relationships between law, society, and Architecture – an area of research that remains largely unexplored. Through the examination of legal documents, regulations, and practices, one may seek to uncover the hidden legal facts embedded within the built environment, from territories and urban spaces to everyday dwellings – including colonial contexts.

This dataset gathers significant informational value of legal aspects, revealing and enhancing the understanding of historical building practices regarding railways in colonial contexts, performed by the Portuguese administration. As railways serve as a key example to study legal transplantation and reception in colonial territory, it does allow us to explore the intersection of architectural and legal history. The dataset surveys the legal framework, texts, and legal documents that influenced the planning and construction of Angola (including borders with Zaire), Mozambique (including borders with Swaziland), and the Indian possessions of Portugal. The document also includes legislation on works and improvements, including Angola and Mozambique, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Principe.