An EU-funded project has transformed Braga Exhibition Park, in the Norte Region of Portugal, into a safe, comfortable, modern, attractive and energy-efficient venue. Existing infrastructure was renovated and new facilities created to host national and international fairs, exhibitions, congresses and a range of socio-cultural, scientific, recreational and sporting events.
- 11 June 2020
I believe that nowadays few city councils can do without support from EU funds due to the limited resources they have for big investment projects. Without these funds, it would have been difficult for us to complete the development of this magnificent infrastructure, which serves the entire region.
With the capacity to welcome gatherings of anything from 20 to more than 20 000 people, the exhibition park has been revamped based on a design inspired by Braga’s Roman heritage.
Maintenance and rehabilitation work under the project included waterproofing, heat and noise insulation and security improvements. New event spaces were set up; advanced interactive equipment was acquired; and a new layout has optimised accessibility and ease of circulation.
Deteriorating conditions
Built in the 1980s to support Braga’s economic development, mainly by hosting trade fairs and exhibitions, Braga Exhibition Park’s condition deteriorated over the following three decades, to the extent that it no longer fulfilled all the conditions for accommodating large-scale gatherings. Exhibitors and visitors had complained about the acoustics, air conditioning and the general level of comfort.
A lack of versatility was another problem. It was thus a priority for the project to fill in the gaps in the infrastructure to ensure the venue could accommodate a wide variety of events – something now considered crucial for structures like Braga Exhibition Park.
Multi-purpose spaces
Centrally located and within easy reach of Porto airport, the park is home to the Norte region’s biggest exhibition pavilion, with a capacity of 12 000 and an area of 7 800 m², and has large and small auditoriums with 1 432 and 254 seats respectively. The 450 m² congress room is fitted with partitions that allow it to be divided into as many as five separate rooms.
Six meeting rooms, of which five are 75 m² in area and the other 45 m², host lectures, presentations and training sessions for up to 60 people and reception events for up to 120. Two multi-purpose foyers – one on the ground floor and one on the first floor – provide an additional 720 m² and 320 m² of space respectively. These are used for reception and accreditation of guests and catering.
In addition, the ground-floor foyer accommodates exhibitions and product demonstrations. A main function of the first-floor foyer is to support activities held in the small auditorium and congress room.
Another feature of the park is Forum Art Braga, a 300 m² contemporary art gallery which runs an exhibition programme comprising work by Portuguese and international artists. Further elements are extensive parking, Wi-Fi availability throughout the site, a restaurant, a coffee shop and 26 000 m² of outdoor space.
The rehabilitation of Braga Exhibition Park contributes to the regeneration of the city, should stimulate economic growth and competitiveness and attract business and investment to the area.
Since it reopened, around 800 000 people have visited the park, attending about 400 events and more than 100 shows and congresses, including agricultural, construction and book fairs, and car shows.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Braga Exhibition Park” is EUR 8 826 396, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 7 502 436 through the “NORTE 2020” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Competitiveness and internationalisation of the regional economy”.