Largo das Galinheiras, near the neighborhoods of Ameixoeira and Sacavém, is set to undergo a transformation.
The redevelopment project, designed by the architecture and urban planning firm FOCUS GROUP, covers approximately 10,400 m² and increases the green space by 133%, from 678 m² to 1,584 m².
The plan is also to plant 26 new trees and maintain the 29 existing trees in the square. The new trees will be larger and have broader canopies, designed to provide more shade, alleviate the urban heat island effect, and improve air quality.
More shade, permeable soil, and native plants
The project also increases the square’s permeable surface area. With more green spaces and solutions that promote stormwater infiltration, the space manages water more effectively and better withstands periods of drought.
When selecting plants, the team opted for aromatic and culinary species traditional to the region, such as rosemary, myrtle, and bay laurel. These choices draw inspiration from Lisbon’s historic landscape and create conditions conducive to biodiversity.
Inês Marques Pinto, an architect and urban planner at FOCUS GROUP responsible for the project, argues that the intervention creates
“a new focal point for Galinheiras,” with greater accessibility, urban comfort, and social cohesion.”
A plaza for all ages… and improved accessibility
Once everything is ready, anyone passing through Galinheiras will find new spaces for relaxation and leisure, with benches, tables, and shaded areas, designed to encourage interaction between generations.
Circulation will also change. The proposal improves pedestrian connections, eliminates architectural barriers, and reorganizes traffic around the garden by removing vehicle traffic from its immediate surroundings. The goal is to make the square safer, more comfortable, and more inclusive for everyone who uses it.
Nuno Malheiro, CEO and founder of FOCUS GROUP, summarizes the approach as
“the combination of the area’s history, climate adaptation, mobility, and the creation of gathering spaces.”
This project is expected to cost approximately 2.3M€, and according to Anteprojetos, construction is estimated to begin this coming December, with an estimated completion date of 13 months.
One final note: this project is part of the “Há Vida no meu Bairro” program, which aims to make Lisbon a “15-minute city,” bringing the inner city closer to the riverside areas.
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