Urban Policy in Portugal
- Introduction
- Historical Background
- Framework and structure of Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI
- Main objectives of the urban policy
Introduction
The current Portuguese urban policy was adopted in 2007under the name Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI.
The Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI was an initiative of the Ministry for Environment, Spatial Planning and Regional Development (also responsible for housing policy) and applies only to the Portuguese mainland.
The Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira have their own urban policies supported by their Operational Programmes and regional budgets.
The Policy for the Cities is implemented through a decentralized approach in line with theprinciples of local initiative, public tenders, strategic programming and partnerships and contracting.
Key stakeholdersare responsible for the implementation of the Policy for the Cities. These are thelocal authorities, the private sector, the NGOsand professional associations.
The role of the central administration is to define policy instruments. DGOTDU is responsible for urban development policy, the IHRU (Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation)has the operational responsibility for urban rehabilitation.
Cities are regarded key drivers of the national economic and social development; therefore it is important that cities have the capability to become active centres for innovation, strengthen competitiveness and participatory citizenship and improve the quality of life. The Portuguese development model requires a network of cities with a high functional qualification and good capacity to attract qualified people and innovative activities. The ambition of the current policy is to build cities as:
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territories of innovation and competitiveness;
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territories of citizenship and social cohesion;
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territories of quality of life and environment;
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well planned and well governed territories.
The current urban policy Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI (2007-2013) has the following Operational dimensions (territorial focus):
- Urban regeneration (focus on intra-urban areas);
- Competitiveness/diversification (focus on city networking);
- Regional integration (focus on city-region relationships);
Complementary to the Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI, the State Budget Law created in 2008 a special tax regimen to support urban rehabilitation through promoting building rehabilitation and attracting private capital for rehabilitation of urban areas.
In September 2009, Parliament authorized the Government to adopt the legal regimen for urban rehabilitation.
Historical Background
Between 1975 and 2005, several experiences and over a dozen formal public programmes were designedand implemented, aimed at tackling recognised major urban problems(slum eradication,strategic urban development, urban renewal, public space improvement). Among these were the URBAN I and URBAN II interventions
The preparation of EXPO’98(1993-1998, a worldwide exhibition based on the theme"The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future") and the related redevelopment of Parque das Nações Districtin Lisbon (1993-2008) represented a turning point in public awareness regarding quality of life and the environment in urban areas.
Building on this experience, thePOLIS Programme (2000-2008) was designed and implemented aimed at enhancing the attractiveness and competitiveness of Portuguese cities’ through the improvement of quality of urban life, public space standards and environmental sustainability in urban areas.
One cannot yet speak of a real comprehensive and coherent urban policy at nationallevel during this period. But these experiences paved the way to the current urban policy.
The National Spatial Development Policy Programme (NSDPP), was adopted by Parliament in July 2007. This programme sets the framework for integrated spatial development and for territorial cohesion. It presents a comprehensive action plan for territorial and urban development with a sustainable development perspective, focused in sectoral policy coordination and an integrated approach.
Based on a diagnosis of current territorial and urban constraints, challenges and potentials, the NSDPP draws a comprehensive action plan for territorial and urban development, with a sustainable development perspective.
Strengthening the national urban system, making cities more competitive and attractive to live and work in, avoiding urban sprawl, promoting urban regeneration, improving the quality of public space and built environment, functionality and energy efficiency, modernising infrastructure and service, ensuring social cohesion and employment, are some of the guidelines drawn by the strategic and specific objectives set out in NSDPP.
Framework and structure of Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI
The National Sustainable Development Strategy, the National Spatial Development Policy Programme and theNational Action Plan for Growth and Employment are national strategic reference documents for the current Portuguese urban policy.
The current urban policy Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI (2007-2013), is structured upon four priority axis:
- Partnerships for Urban Regeneration (managed at regional level);
- City Networks for Competitiveness and Innovation (managed at regional level);
- Innovative Solutions for Urban Challenges (at national level);
- National Urban system’s structuring facilities;
This national urban policy is specifically targeted at cities and focuses on:
- Predominantly medium-sized and large cities;
- Priority is given to cities and city networks identified in the NSDPP. In the NSDPP document they are asserted as being the engines of territorial development or important to consolidate the national urban system;
- Smaller cities are eligible if they are linked to other cities, specially medium-sized and large cities (urban networks).
The Policy for the Cities POLIS XXI (2007-2013) is financed through the State Budget and co-financed by the NSRF (National Strategic Reference Framework).
The creation of Urban Development Funds in line with the JESSICA Initiative (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas).is to be used as a complement of NSRF for financing urban policy.
Main objectives of the urban policy
The current urban policy in Portugal aims to:
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promote the adoption of innovative solutions for pressing urban challenges and development problems by supporting pilot-projects, both via material and immaterial means. Portuguese cities aim to develop new solutions and promote the diffusion of their results by testing and adapting innovative solutions which are implemented in foreign cities. In general, these innovative solutions are not yet adopted by Portuguese cities;
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build or improve highly specialized urban facilities contributing to structure and the development of the national urban system, to strengthen and differentiate a higher level of urban centres as well as to continue to strengthen polycentric territorial development.
The ultimate objectives of this urban policy in Portugal are:
- To qualify and integrate different urban areasin coherent, inclusive, and sustainable cities, by involving actively their inhabitants;
- To strengthen and to diversify the human, institutional, cultural and economic assets of each city, in order to broaden the range of opportunities offered to its citizens and to enhance the city’s role at regional, national and international level
- To qualify and increase the integration of the city in its surrounding region, with the aim to promote sustainable complementarities between urban and rural areas and to enhance the city-region’s potential for development
- To innovate urban development, by applying an integrated urban sustainability approach and promoting the efficiency of infrastructures, servicesand facilities, the control of urban sprawl, the use of ICT, local capacity-buildingand new forms of public-private partnerships.