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City Council to Evaluate New Subsidised Housing Project in Parque das Nações
24 October 2018
The project involves the construction of three lots in an area of more than 17,400 square meters. Residents in the area will be heard by the mayor of Lisbon, Fernando Medina.
On Thursday, the Lisbon City Council will evaluate a municipal initiative, under the Affordable Rents Program (PRA), in which an allotment of subsidised housing would be built next to the Gare do Oriente, in Parque das Nações.
According to the proposal, which will be discussed at a meeting of the municipal executive, led by Fernando Medina (PS), the allotment will be situated in a 17,400-square-meter plot of land between Rua Padre Abel Varzim Street, Rua Pedro Joaquim Alves Correia and Rua Conselheiro Lopo Vaz, in the parish of Parque das Nações.”
The document, which the Lusa news agency reviewed, states that 235 dwelling will be built on the property, in addition to stores and public-use facilities, such as a nursery school, along with public parks.
The project provides for a “between seven and nine above-ground floors, and a maximum of three below-ground.”
The proposal also notes that the “project for the allotment was submitted for public consultation from April 11 to May 9, 2018, and between May 29 and June 26, 2018.” It was also “publicly presented to the residents of the area and the parish executive.”
The consultation resulted in “public commentary which the final proposal took into account.”
The proposal was sponsored by the councillor Manuel Salgado, who is responsible for Urban Design, Planning, Real Estate and Municipal Works at the city council.
In addition to Parque das Nações, the council is also planning new subsided rental homes for a total of 15 other locations, including the parishes of Lumiar, Belém, Benfica, Arroios, Santa Maria Maior and Ajuda.
The PRA foresees that rental costs should not exceed 300 euros per month for a studio flat, 350 euros/month for a one-bedroom, 500 euros for a two-bedroom up to 600 euros for a three or four-bedroom flat.
At the same meeting, which will take place in Lisbon’s City Hall, the councillors will also consider some changes to the Lisbon city council’s routine. The mayor’s proposals include changes to the schedule of decentralised public meetings, which would start at 5 pm instead of 6:30 pm, as is currently the case.
At the end of the meetings, one councillor from each political party will be permitted to take the floor, instead of every one.
Original Story: Dinheiro Vivo / Lusa
Photo: Miguel A. Lopes / Lusa
Translation: Richard Turner