For decades the neighbourhoods of Damaia and Buraca in the city of Amadora, north-west of Lisbon, have been blighted by high unemployment and poverty, but a regeneration scheme has restored the urban environment and brought a new spirit of optimism and confidence to the area.
- 19 December 2012
In an area of high population density and social problems, the regeneration project, which got underway in 2001, has tackled the scourge of drug addiction, promoted social inclusion for the largely African immigrant population, improved educational and training opportunities and has also promoted economic activities.
With large numbers of residents in the two neighbourhoods living in shanty-type accommodation, one of the project’s priorities was to renovate buildings, public spaces and to build social facilities. At the same time the programme funded various schemes aimed at better integrating the local population into the labour market, promoting self-employment and the setting up of small businesses.
In addition, social, educational, cultural and sporting facilities – such as schools, community gardens and care facilities for the elderly – were improved or established. A particular aim of the project was to improve the integration of the most disadvantaged and marginalised groups in society. Meanwhile, high failure and drop-out rates in schools were tackled by improving educational and recreational activities for the young.
Community relations improved
Carlos Pina, technical co-ordinator of the Lisbon Regional Coordination and Development Commission, said that the programme (which continues to be funded from other sources) had been successful in improving the social integration of migrants living in the area. “The programme created and tested new ways to intervene in small urban areas but with serious socio-urban problems,” he said. “Community relations are certainly much better now than in the past.”
The regeneration programme formed part of the second round of so-called URBAN community initiatives, which provided ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) support to some 70 deprived urban areas across the EU.