EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Old Ghettos, New Centralities

Old Ghettos, New Centralities

Introduction

The project’s grant will be used to contribute to the sustainable development of Rabo de Peixe and Alagoas.

Problem

The project aims to contribute to the sustainable development (economic development and quality of the urban environment) by:

diminishing social exclusion;
empowering and improving the participation of the inhabitants;
revitalizing existing business activities and promoting new ones;
enhancing local integration and qualifications in the labourmarket;
conjugating synergies and allocating resources;
enhancing the ecological balance, the natural and cultural heritage;
improving public health and environmental quality.

Description

Rabo de Peixe/ Ribeira Grande. Suffers from high rates of unemployment, delinquency and school dropouts, health problems, poor housing facilities and lack of sewer and stormwater networks and treatment. The project aims to contribute to the sustainable development of Rabo de Peixe.Régua/ Alagoas. The residents of the neighbourhood are socially deprived and many are unemployed and depend on income benefits. The neighbourhood is poorly maintained and it is in stark contrast with its environment. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the economic development and quality of the urban environment.

Approach

The project is aimed at social enhancement, promoting citizenship (training and professional development, young children’s and youth activities, local participation activities), restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure and renewing public urban open spaces. It also seeks to build new urban facilities and improve existing facilities for cultural and heritage purposes. It is also the intention to set up a local integrated social development office.

Results

Rabo de Peixe. The project will be used to extend and renew the water supply and sewer system and to rehabilitate urban spaces. Also, new facilities such as sports pavilions, a vocational training school and a civic centre will be created and existing buildings renovated.Alagoas. The project is expected to have a positive impact on economic development and quality of the urban environment. The project plans to renew the drainage systems, rehabilitate public urban spaces and provide multipurpose spaces for local social organisations and urban amenities.

Beneficiaries

The community, and residents who are socially deprived and many of them unemployed and who depend on income benefits (empowering the inhabitants, improving their participation).

Resources used

At the end of the commitment period at 31 December 2003, the Financial Instrument Committee had approved a grant application by Portugal, which absorbed the totalamount available for Portugal, for the Old Ghettos and New Centralities project in Alagoas in the town of Régua in northern Portugal and in the town of Rabo de Peixe.

Contact info

National Institute for Housing
Portugal
http://www.inh.pt/
Maria João Freitas, tel. +351 217231744

Project start date

01/01/2003

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Business support, Employment