Latest news and stories about public space in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Portuguese Environment Agency clarifies that the only area that is under concession is the one delimited by that rectangle and nothing else; everything else is for free use.
Works with an eight-month deadline will modernise the central garden of Sabrosa, Vila Real, while preserving the bandstand and the late-Baroque fountain from the 18th century.
The Boticas City Council, in Vila Real, has announced two projects for the renovation and enhancement of the municipal square and the Toural garden. The investment will be financed by Norte 2030 funds.
Following criticism from the opposition and the dissatisfaction expressed in a public petition that exceeded 1,400 signatures, the vice-president of the Gaia City Council has reversed the decision and the park will not be fenced off.
At Thursday's Municipal Assembly, vice-president Firmino Pereira decided to withdraw the proposal, which he stated was his sole responsibility, from the agenda.
Three days after the announcement, the vice-president of the Gaia city council went back on his word. Opposition criticism is believed to have contributed to the reversal. Firmino Pereira insists the project was a personal initiative.
The signatories are calling for the immediate suspension of the procedure, as Gaia plans to fence off the area and implement operating hours. The mayor points to complaints from residents but guarantees the space will remain free of charge.
The mayor points to “complaints from residents” and “activities inconsistent with that space,” especially at night, specifically the consumption of alcohol.
The city council has received numerous complaints from residents in recent months. The works include fencing, two entrances, and restrooms, and are expected to be completed in May 2027, in time to celebrate the garden's centenary.
The movement considers the work “environmentally retrograde”. The avenue underwent a landscape requalification in 2014, which “returned that area of the city to the population”.
An association has expressed its disapproval regarding the asphalt paving work carried out on Avenida Ribeira das Naus in Lisbon.
The Fórum Cidadania Lx sent a letter to the mayor, Carlos Moedas.
A new train sculpture has been unveiled beside the Loulé/Praia de Quarteira train station in tribute to the railway’s long-standing presence in the municipality. Created by local design and graphics The post Train sculpture unveiled near Loulé station appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The question is no longer about choosing between pedestrians and cars. It is about knowing how to use a scarce and valuable resource — public space — in the most intelligent, balanced, and adjusted way for people's reality.
The process begins with reports from residents via an online platform. “We will be relentless,” assures Marco Almeida, Mayor of Sintra, to CM.
The introduction of the Volta Deposit Return System (DRS) has created an unprecedented economic incentive in Portuguese public spaces by assigning direct monetary value to discarded packaging. Former mayor Luís Newton argues that this has led to 'urban mining'—the forced opening of bins and damage to street furniture—which is placing a financial burden on municipalities. Newton contends that because this phenomenon was known internationally, it should have been anticipated and mitigated. He argues that the system privatises the benefits of packaging recovery while 'municipalising' the collateral costs, violating the polluter-pays principle. Additionally, concerns have been raised by the Citizens for Cybersecurity group regarding the potential for the system to track consumer habits through loyalty cards used for refunds.
The Misericórdia Parish Council praises the “return of public space to the people”. In Santa Maria Maior, the expansion of pedestrian zones will proceed. The mayor warns of the need for an inclusive transition.
Associations criticise the permanent occupation of public space in the capital by terraces, cars, motorcycles, markets and fairs. Walking has become a difficult task, despite changes to pavement design.
Coimbra City Council unanimously approved the preliminary redevelopment project for the John Paul II square, featuring more trees, shade, and cycle paths — and fewer cars.
Vandalism and litter on the streets are some of the secondary consequences of the implementation of the Volta packaging collection and recycling system.
A guide on how to survive, applicable whether you have a beach umbrella or not.
Alberto Gonçalves comments on the side effects of the plastic bottle refund scheme, in particular the increase in litter on the streets
Four Portuguese urban projects have been shortlisted for a prestigious European award recognising excellence in public space design.
Lisbon Municipal Police officers seized a Chega poster for being installed without authorisation and, in the process, causing damage to the pavement. However, Chega ended up installing the billboard anyway.
Four Portuguese urban projects have been shortlisted for a prestigious European award recognising excellence in public space design.
The goal is to clarify the organisation of the concession areas.
The PCP accused the PSD/CDS-PP/IL executive of favouring the luxury restaurant Estrela by Olivier to the detriment of public space. The council guarantees that the public interest prevails.
The author reflects on the transformation of Lisbon's historic Terreiro do Paço, contrasting its 17th-century role as a site of political power and diplomacy with its current use as a 'Lisboa Football Arena' for the World Cup. The article critiques the commercialisation of public spaces through 'Fan Zones' and the role of football in shaping collective memory and national identity, arguing that these events reduce historic sites to mere backdrops for mass entertainment.
Falling tree branches prompted an assessment of the tree heritage at Parque de Nova Sintra in Bonfim, forcing its closure. Findings will be released this month, followed by the necessary intervention.
