Urban renewal in Torres Vedras, Portugal aimed to respond to economic and social decline by involving local people in boosting the attractiveness of the historic city centre. The Torres ao Centro project also fostered social inclusion and equal opportunities, increased competitiveness, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity and promoted sustainable mobility.
- 29 January 2016
Torres ao Centro focuses on the people who live and work in the city and visit it daily. By using possibilities offered by public spaces, facilities and events to bring about meetings and relationships between people in the historic centre, Torres ao Centro fostered cultural activities, reinforced community bonds and social support and created an environment for development of the local economy, thus helping to make a better city. It was rooted in community awareness and participation and its effects are felt through growing engagement of inhabitants with city life, which is revitalising the streets and squares of the historic centre.
Work was split into four areas. The urban and environmental area consisted of creating car-free streets, the renovation and installation of street furniture, upgrades to and installation of infrastructure and street lighting and provision of wireless internet in the centre's main squares. It also led to the restoration of the Chafariz dos Canos fountain and the conservation of the exterior of St Peter’s church, both of which are national monuments.
The economic area involved construction of a new market and installation of movable structures in the market square for staging events, while some buildings were renovated for housing. As part of the social area, an internet zone, public baths, a nursing station and a laundry were installed for public use. Additionally, a facility providing support to victims of domestic violence and pregnant girls was renovated and a vehicle was acquired to transport people with disabilities.
New cultural spaces
Under the cultural area of the project, buildings for photography and artistic expression were bought and renovated; two buildings were refurbished to accommodate groups belonging to a cultural forum and regular artistic performances were held in public areas. A cross-cutting project aimed at stimulating partnerships and disseminating the project’s programme was also launched.
Torres ao Centro helped to create or maintain some 200 jobs and conserve and modernise traditional forms of trade. The project generated a shared view of problems and their solutions, strengthened local identity and built a community based on knowledge, inclusion and exercise of citizenship. It supported environmental and energy sustainability by introducing more public transport options, promoting walking and cycling, installing efficient lighting and air conditioning and favouring renovation of buildings over new constructions
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Torres ao Centro” is EUR 10 525 863, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 7 508 475 from the Operational Programme “Centro” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.