Lisbon is constantly changing! And these projects confirm that the city never stops innovating, making it more environmentally friendly, more sustainable, and striving to improve the lives of all its residents.
Beneath our feet
One of the largest projects the city will undertake will not be visible. In fact, it will take place right beneath our feet.
This will be one of those megalomaniacal investments—a 250-million-euro project— aimed at protecting the city from rising water levels for the next 100 years, in order to prevent flooding.
The project is scheduled for completion by mid-2030 and calls for the construction of two drainage tunnels integrated into a complex system that will run throughout the city— or at least through the areas most vulnerable to this type of event.
The press release from the Lisbon City Council also states that this project includes the construction of two tunnels for “basin transfer”: one between Monsanto and Santa Apolónia , five kilometers long, and another between Chelas and Beato, one kilometer long. Both tunnels will have a diameter of 5.5 meters.
Arroios Station has reopened
This is one of those construction projects that has been the subject of much discussion; it was one of the top news stories of the year when it finally reopened on September 14, 2021— especially for residents of that area, who had been waiting for the work to be completed since 2017.
The reason for the long delay (completion of the work was originally scheduled for the first half of 2019) was due to various setbacks and disagreements with the previous contractor, who ultimately handed the project over to a new contractor in September 2019.
As a reminder, the construction work at Arroios Station served to extend the platform from 70 to 105 meters , making it capable of accommodating up to six train cars; to adapt the station with elevators, making it more accessible for people with limited mobility; to open or renovate commercial spaces, through a modernization more consistent with what already exists at other stations; and, of course, improve access conditions through a renovation of the concourses.
Urban gardens are here to stay
Lisbon has more and more space for urban gardens, with twenty Municipal Vegetable Parks comprising 800 garden plots.
The project dates back to 2007, through the ongoing promotion and development of urban agriculture in Lisbon, which is now being further strengthened with the launch of three publications on this topic, allowing more people to access useful information on how to grow their own crops and maintain their own gardens.
Greater safety with the new traffic lights
The news that Lisbon’s pedestrian traffic lights would be equipped with timers to show how much time is left to cross a crosswalk was reported by the newspaper Público; these are similar to those already in place, for example, near Oriente Station.
The daily newspaper also reports that this system will be installed in Campo Grande, along the riverfront, and in Benfica, and that EMEL’s goal is to implement this type of signage throughout the city.
For now, crosswalks with traffic lights located closest to schools or healthcare facilities will be given priority in the installation of these new traffic lights. However, no dates have yet been set for their installation.
Lisbon has a new museum
It’s called the Royal Treasury Museum and opened on June 1, 2022. Here you’ll be able to see, admire, and marvel at all the Portuguese crown jewels.
Located in the Ajuda Palace, in a new, more modern and contemporary wing of this National Monument, the new museum features a permanent exhibition that includes a vast collection of silverware, gold nuggets, diplomatic gifts, decorations, and coins, in addition to the aforementioned jewelry that the royal family wore in their daily lives.
Lisbon Waterfront
This is one of the projects that appeals most to all Lisbon residents, as well as to those who visit the city.
Lisbon’s waterfront, which will stretch from Santa Apolónia to Cais do Sodré, already has some sections nearly complete, but let’s face it—there are still a few segments left to go.
The final touches have resulted in the renovation of the Muro das Namoradeiras and the Cod History Interpretation Center, as well as the entire Doca da Marinha and the South and Southeast Station, where the ship Creoula and other vessels operated by tour operators and transportation companies will be moored to provide service between the two banks.
A mega-garden for all Lisbon residents
Located in Praça de Espanha, the project aims to “give Lisbon back” to its residents by creating new recreational spaces, playgrounds, outdoor cafés, kiosks, and “reclaiming water as a central element”—a move that promises to bring a stream back to the city center.
The city government announced the creation of an urban park on the site, covering about 5 hectares—an area similar to Jardim da Estrela. Among the most eagerly awaited new features would have been a direct connection, via a pedestrian bridge, between the Gulbenkian and this new green space— a project that the city council has now “scrapped.”
The promise of 14 new health centers by the end of 2021
Construction has even begun in Alta de Lisboa and Alto dos Moinhos, as part of a program aimed at replacing 14 healthcare facilities that currently do not offer optimal accessibility.
However, bureaucracy and delays on the part of contractors have affected several facilities, causing the completion of the 14 health centers to be delayed over several years . Although some have moved forward and are already operational— such as those in Marvila and Alta de Lisboa— others remain in various stages of construction or delayed renovation.
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