This paper exhibits the on-going results of a research project, MEMO - Evolution of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area Metabolism. Lessons towards a Sustainable Urban Future, which aims to develop a comparative analysis of the metabolic behaviour of Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), in different historical periods (1900-1950-today). The existing relationship between urban form and the access to water is examined, to provide a possible application of urban morphology to face Our Common Future (WCED, 1987). The concept of urban form considered in this investigation includes territorial, urban and rural forms that testify the man will to transform the territory, while providing access to water. Nine types of water elements were identified and analysed against three territorial scales: Municipality, Settlements and Royal Farms. The analysed relationship between the water elements and the access to water contributed to visualise the characterization of the metabolic behaviour of Lisbon Region, in 1900. Finally, this study testifies that specific urban forms of water typologies are preferable than others, at different territorial scales. Thus, testifying the interaction between urban form and water management, but also how and why specific urban forms and territorial arrangements were selected and allocated to better respond to human and environmental needs.

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Urban Morphology, Water, Lisbon Region, Settlements, Royal Farms