Lisbon grappling with inadequate parking spaces
In a recent turn of events, Lisbon's urban landscape is about to undergo a change, thanks to the proposal put forward by Almeida. Speaking before the Municipal Assembly's 3rd Permanent Committee, Almeida revealed plans to suspend building credits for projects dealing with "parking deficits". This move, initially approved by the City Council on December 18, 2024, is part of a growing alliance between PS, Livre, PCP, Citizens for Lisbon, and Bloco da Esquerda, with the PSD/CDS-PP leadership casting their votes against the proposal.
This adjustment targets the Municipal Regulation on Incentives for Urban Operations of Municipal Interest, a system that's been in place since 2013. This regulation rewards urban developments with benefits such as affordable housing, heritage restoration, and extra parking in parking-starved areas. Notably, revisions to the regulation, initiated in 2022, have already removed credits linked to energy efficiency and bioclimatic design, with the argument being these features should be standard.
Almeida provided a rundown of Lisbon districts facing parking deficits, which includes Ajuda, Alvalade, Arroios, Bairro Alto, Baixa, Benfica, Estrela, Campo do Ourique, Campolide, Carnide Sul, Monsanto, Olivais, Saõ Domingos de Benfica, and Saõ Vicente. She pointed out successful parking-related projects in Carnide and Gracça, criticizing the opposition for voting against the incentives without a valid technical justification.
In her statement, Almeida expressed her disappointment towards the opposition, stating, "We voted against the irresponsibility of this proposal. There's no concern for residents' parking needs - just political posturing." Proponents of the proposal, such as Livre, argue that incentivizing additional parking promotes excessive construction and car dependency, working against Lisbon's aspirations for sustainable mobility and carbon neutrality by 2030. They call for a broader suspension of building credits for outdated or counterproductive solutions.
With the proposal now on the table for further discussion and a final vote within the Municipal Assembly, this shift in urban development aims to reshape Lisbon's parking landscape while promoting sustainability.
In the realm of policy-and-legislation, Almeida's proposal to suspend building credits for parking deficit projects is a significant change within the Municipal Regulation on Incentives for Urban Operations of Municipal Interest, following its initial approval by the City Council on December 18, 2024. This proposed adjustment, part of the alliance between PS, Livre, PCP, Citizens for Lisbon, and Bloco da Esquerda, is being met with political opposition, with debates ongoing in the Municipal Assembly's 3rd Permanent Committee regarding its potential impact on Lisbon's general-news landscape, particularly in terms of sustainable mobility and carbon neutrality by 2030.
