Portuguese housing receives a major upgrade, both structurally and aesthetically.
- 23 September 2013
Vila D’Este is a residential area in the north of Portugal. It was built in the 1980s to respond to an urgent need for housing. The area contains 2 085 homes in 109 buildings over 18 blocks and is home to about 16 000 people. The urbanisation has, in fact, more residents than many Portuguese cities. In recent years, the buildings have shown signs of serious degradation. The objective of this project is convergence through urban regeneration. The project was developed in association with various organisations that operate in Vila d’Este with all stakeholders focusing on sustainable development of the area.
A fresh start
As the buildings have become dilapidated, this project addressed structural issues while also dealing with insulation issues. The results are therefore of benefit to residents both in terms of the aesthetics of the buildings and the physical comforts provided. Improvements have been made to ventilation (especially in basements and storage areas) and lighting systems, window frames, shading elements, entrance areas, stairway enclosures and walls (which had become marred by cracks).
In addition, strong thermal insulation has been added to roofing and walls. Terraces have also received waterproofing treatment as this had been deficient. Public spaces are also benefiting from an overhaul, in another phase of the project, with streets being repaved, pedestrian areas and green spaces created and public lighting improved.
The feel-good factor
The project has brought environmental gains with improved energy efficiency for all buildings concerned. This, of course, has a knock-on effect on residents heating bills so they should feel financial benefits along with the improved comforts. Estimates show that energy savings are in excess of 40 %.
Improvements to the aesthetics of one’s surroundings have a significant effect on how people feel and encourage civic pride. This is crucial as the area had become stigmatised in recent years by problems such as low educational attainment leading to young people having limited opportunities.
This and other social problems have meant the area was widely recognised as disadvantaged and had become somewhat ghettoised. Through implementation of this project, residents can again be proud of their homes and community.
Aesthetic improvement to Vila d’Este is also having an effect on the wider region too as the urbanisation is located along the A1 motorway and, as such, dominates the skyline as one is entering the Metropolitan Area of Porto. The revamp of the buildings shows a modern, attractive area which creates a positive impression of the area itself and of the Metropolitan Area of Porto.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Building Rehabilitation of Urbanização de Vila D’Este – Vilar de Andorinho – Phase I – Vila Nova de Gaia” was EUR 5 200 000 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 4 200 000 for the 2007 to 2013 programming period. This funding came under the “Priority IV – Local and urban cohesion” of the Operational Programme “Norte”.