Latest news and stories about urban planning in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Opposition councillors in Cascais have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest regarding Minister Miguel Pinto Luz's changes to urban planning legislation. While critics argue the shortened deadlines to challenge urban plans could benefit decisions made during his tenure as municipal vice-president, the minister maintains the law was not tailored to his personal interests.
The Glória funicular in Lisbon is set for a complete reconstruction with a reopening planned for 2029, amid ongoing legal and support challenges following a past accident.
The Public Prosecutor has initiated legal action against a Hilton hotel development in Cascais, alleging the illegal annexation of public land to maintain seven floors and seeking the demolition of three levels.
The municipality justifies the renaming of the Alta de Lisboa Central Axis as a tribute to the date that allowed for the establishment of freedom and democracy. Jorge Sampaio will also have an avenue in the area.
An interview featuring Marco Almeida discussing current challenges, public health, and urban sanitation issues.
Where have we seen this before? In the 70s, when public and monumental lighting was decided by catalogue. Lisbon deserves a well-lit chamber, not just lit. Opinion by José Albuquerque Fonseca
Bolt argued this Friday that removing shared e-scooters from Lisbon reduces affordable and sustainable mobility options for locals, noting that they accounted for 78% of trips in 2025. The company opposes the proposal by Mayor Carlos Moedas to suspend shared e-scooter services in the city by the end of the year, claiming they have complied with municipal rules on speed and parking. Bolt suggests that the real issue lies in parking infrastructure, offering to fund road markings and dedicated parking stations to prevent pavement obstruction. Despite the suspension announcement, the operator remains open to negotiating a new model with the City Council while planning to bolster its shared e-bike service as an alternative.
Partnership with Decathlon guarantees access to next-generation tents.
Reflecting on his first year as Lisbon's Housing Councillor, the author discusses the complex challenges of the city's housing crisis. He argues that housing is a fundamental structural policy for urban life, necessary for retaining essential workers, youth, and diverse social groups. The article highlights municipal efforts to increase housing stock, support private market tenants, and rehabilitate city-owned properties under the administration of Mayor Carlos Moedas, while emphasizing the need for a shared responsibility between public, private, and cooperative sectors to ensure Lisbon remains an accessible and inclusive city.
In 2023, Lisbon had 1,158 completely vacant properties and 1,696 partially vacant properties held by private owners. A substantial part of the built city remains idle.
Although it had a significant impact, the first secretary of the AML, Costa, considers that “the problems have not ended because society is dynamic,” and new solutions are needed.
At issue is an alleged conflict of interest involving Minister Miguel Pinto Luz for shortening urban planning challenge deadlines in a new law, which may benefit decisions he made while serving as the municipality's vice-president.
Opposition councillors in the Cascais municipal executive are not surprised by suspicions of conflicts of interest involving Minister Miguel Pinto Luz regarding changes to urban planning legislation, though the minister has denied the bill was tailored to his interests. According to Socialist councillor João Ruivo, the amendment to the legal regimes of Urbanisation and Building (RJUE)...
The new Legal Regime for Urban Rehabilitation, approved by the government in May, has reduced the time limit for the Public Prosecutor's Office or citizens' movements to legally challenge municipal decisions regarding urban planning from ten to three years. According to Sábado magazine, the change benefits Miguel Pinto Luz, the current Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, who was vice-president...
The Portuguese tourism board is providing financial support for the first three initiatives designated as Climate Refuges.
Almirante Reis Avenue has seen its shops, transport, and residents change over time, yet many have lived in the same homes for decades. For these residents, accessible pharmacies, safe pedestrian crossings, and the ability to be picked up at their door are essential for truly experiencing the city rather than just inhabiting it. As discussions about the future of the avenue focus on traffic, trees, parking, and cycling, it is crucial to remember that this street is also someone's home. With over 21% of Arroios' population aged 65 or older, urban planning must prioritize the needs of those with limited mobility, such as providing wide sidewalks, safe crossings, and benches. While municipal plans to remove parking spaces may look positive on paper, they may inadvertently decrease accessibility for the elderly. Similarly, while cycling infrastructure is important, policymakers must distinguish between through-traffic and local benefit to avoid neglecting the actual needs of long-term residents. Ultimately, the goal of urban development should be to improve quality of life for all generations, ensuring that future progress does not come at the cost of those who already call the neighborhood home.
A movement wants to reopen the debate on the redevelopment project for “cutting 295 trees” and “giving more space to cars”, and is even preparing a demonstration. However, the municipality will maintain the “general lines” of the intervention.
A municipal inventory will have more than 4,600 'positions without living trees,' warns the Vizinhos em Lisboa association. However, the municipality claims the number is less than half and promises to fill them all by spring.
In the best-case route scenario, 116 trees will need to be transplanted, and the fate of another 668 specimens must be assessed, as they may be pruned or relocated. Carris has promised to mitigate the impact.
Anyone landing in Lisbon sees them from the plane window, everywhere: the vacant lots. Patches of grass between entire blocks, factory courtyards without roofs, blocks that were never completed. Then, walking around, you see the rest. I live between Amoreiras and Campo de Ourique, one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the country, and, for...
Perhaps somewhere in the future we will have the grace to have a Lisbon City Council (CML) with vision, and then recover the time now lost. After all, as elected officials in the CML, are we European or Portuguese? Make up your minds! Opinion by Paulo Ferrero
Preserving our historic centres is not about looking at the past. It is about protecting what we want to leave to future generations.
Housing and mobility are the two biggest issues identified by residents in the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas in the Cities Barometer, an initiative by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. The study highlights that while there is a consensus on the need for better public transport, punctuality, and infrastructure, there is a persistent gap between identifying solutions and implementing them. Drivers often oppose measures like dedicated bus lanes or increased parking fees, creating a cycle where poor public transport reliability encourages continued car use. The article argues that public policy must shift from simple fare reductions to investing in faster transit conditions and fleet expansion to address the ongoing traffic crisis.
Carlos Moedas states that the process is following the normal procedures.
The Mayor of Lisbon responded to the Left Bloc (BE), which accused him of undermining urban planning services by appearing at the project's presentation in July 2025.
Housing, mobility, public space, climate, security, and participation. The CNN Portugal Summit 'i9 Cascais – Living the Future' brought together experts, policymakers, and public officials to think about the cities of the coming decades. Amidst different models and some disagreements, one idea ran through the debate: a city is only truly smart when it remains a place where people can live.
The CNN Portugal Summit brings together international specialists to discuss key topics including mobility, innovation, housing, and transport in the town of Carcavelos.
