The 14th Urban Rehabilitation Week in Porto was held at the old Vasco da Gama Canning Factory in Matosinhos from November 2-4, attracting over 2,000 attendees. The event, organized by Vida Imobiliária, had more than 10,500 registrations across various sessions and initiatives. The three-day event featured conferences, debates, seminars, and workshops on two separate stages, with over 100 speakers and exhibitors participating.
The main theme of the event was housing, a pressing issue in the public agenda. Discussions focused on creating new housing supply, investing in affordable housing, new Build to Rent models, the rental market, changes to urban licensing, and the construction industry's contribution to faster, more efficient, and sustainable building. Key players from the real estate market, construction industry, and public sector participated in the debates.
The event was opened by Portuguese Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, who emphasized the importance of bringing the sector together to address the country's problems. He highlighted that the Urban Rehabilitation Week has been successful in finding common ground among stakeholders, including landlords, tenants, promoters, lawyers, architects, and engineers.
Matosinhos Mayor, Luísa Salgueiro, also attended the opening ceremony, stressing the need for decisions on the country's direction, particularly regarding housing. She noted that the housing crisis requires overcoming the issue of vacant homes and long waiting lists for housing. Salgueiro emphasized the importance of continuing construction, including public housing, cooperatives, and political will.
Manuel Reis Campos, President of the Portuguese Construction and Real Estate Confederation (CPCI), called for mobilization towards a common goal of increasing housing availability for all. He advocated for agreements that go beyond political cycles, ensuring stability and duration of measures. Campos also requested the mobilization of land for housing, revision of land legal framework, and effective urban planning simplification.
The Urban Rehabilitation Week in Porto and Lisbon is an initiative by Vida Imobiliária, with support from the Matosinhos and Porto Municipal Chambers. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss pressing issues in the construction and real estate sectors. Key topics included housing, urban planning, and sustainability.
The success of the event highlights the importance of urban rehabilitation and the need for continued efforts to address housing and construction challenges in Portugal. The discussions and debates held during the Urban Rehabilitation Week will likely contribute to shaping future policies and strategies in the sector.
Key points
- Over 2,000 people attended the 14th Urban Rehabilitation Week in Porto.
- The event focused on housing, urban planning, and sustainability.
- The Urban Rehabilitation Week is an annual initiative by Vida Imobiliária.
