Abstract
Tourism and urban heritage: revisiting their relationship through images and social networks in Porto. Over the last few decades, Porto has undergone the rehabilitation of its buildings and public spaces. These operations have been accompanied by demographic transformations and changing ways of living in the city. Since 2017, after 40 years of decline, the city's population has been on the rise. UNESCO's designation of Porto as European Capital of Culture in 1996 and Porto 2001 have ushered in a new phase with urban regeneration projects. These changes were accompanied by an explosion in tourism in the city.Tourist appeal is also linked to the use of social networks by individuals, organisations, brands and institutions. These contribute to the collective narrative about heritage. Mobile photography and social networks are changing the image of the city, creating a virtuous circle: first students (national and foreign), then international labels and visitors, and finally social networks and mobile photography are contributing to the ongoing recreation of images and representations of the city. These images and representations highlight both an idealised image of the city, but also a criticism of the excessive flow of tourists and the growth in services aimed at them, which contrasts with the real needs of the population, particularly in terms of housing.