The 14th edition of the Urban Rehabilitation Week in Porto took place from November 2-4 at the Antiga Fábrica de Conservas Vasco da Gama in Matosinhos. The event, organized by Vida Imobiliária, was supported by the Matosinhos and Porto Municipal Chambers. Over 2,200 people attended the conferences, debates, seminars, and workshops, which featured over 100 speakers and 70 entities. The event covered various topics, including housing, urban rehabilitation, and sustainable development.
The housing sector dominated the debate, with discussions on creating new housing supply, investing in affordable housing, and the proposed new rental law. The event also addressed the construction industry's challenges, such as the need for industrialized construction, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and artificial intelligence. Luísa Salgueiro, President of the Matosinhos Municipal Chamber, emphasized the need for more public housing, cooperatives, and political will to address the housing shortage.
The event featured a session with the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, who highlighted the importance of the Urban Rehabilitation Week as a platform for stakeholders to come together and find solutions. The President of the Portuguese Construction Industry Association (CPCI), Manuel Reis Campos, called for agreements that go beyond political cycles, mobilization of land, and simplification of urban planning.
A panel discussion titled "Territory, Public Investment, and Housing Supply - Solutions!" brought together experts from various fields, including engineering, architecture, and construction. They discussed the need for more action and political will to address the housing shortage, citing administrative delays, land availability, and construction costs as major obstacles.
The event also featured a conference on "Solutions for a New Cycle of Housing Supply," which highlighted the need for a new approach to housing development. Francisco Rocha Antunes, ULI Global Trustee, proposed a new cycle of cooperative housing, similar to models in Zurich, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) reported approving 2.656 billion euros for 6,540 housing units, with around 42% of these in the Porto Metropolitan Area.
The Urban Rehabilitation Week also addressed the rental market, with a session on "A New Law to Dynamize the Rental Market." The discussion focused on the proposed changes to the Urban Rental Law (NRAU) and the need for a more functional rental market. Ricardo Guimarães, Director of Confidencial Imobiliário, described the current market as "deeply dysfunctional," with funds holding only around 3.9% of residential properties.
The event concluded with a focus on the next cycle of urban regeneration and investment in the Greater Porto area. The organizers reported over 10,500 registrations for the various sessions, highlighting the growing interest in urban development and housing. The 14th edition of the Urban Rehabilitation Week in Porto demonstrated the need for continued discussion and collaboration among stakeholders to address the challenges facing the housing and construction sectors.
Key points
- Over 2,200 people attended the 14th edition of the Urban Rehabilitation Week in Porto.
- The event featured over 100 speakers and 70 entities, covering topics such as housing, urban rehabilitation, and sustainable development.
- The housing sector dominated the debate, with discussions on creating new housing supply, investing in affordable housing, and the proposed new rental law.
