The Edifício Transparente in Porto will undergo partial demolition in a cost-sharing agreement between the City Council and the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) to 'renaturalise' the International Beach. Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho stated the building, which dates back to Porto's time as European Capital of Culture in 2001, is in a state of degradation and obstructs the landscape. The plan involves reducing the building's height to the level of the viaduct, leaving only the lower section for beach support facilities. Mayor Pedro Duarte has long advocated for this change to remove the 'barrier' between the City Park and the sea, with the project expected to proceed following the end of the current concession in 2026.
Edifício Transparente in Porto to be partially demolished, confirms Environment Minister
Tuesday, 7 April 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Sustainability (sustentabilidade) means meeting present needs without reducing the ability of future generations to meet theirs, covering environmental, economic and social dimensions. For residents it affects local planning, jobs and services—look for municipal or company targets, timelines and measurable actions when assessing how sustainable a place or employer is.
