“It is necessary to implement a set of integrated policies to somehow save the historic center, the Baixa, and the Alta,” stated Francisco Queirós, speaking to Lusa before participating in a lunch for the CDU (a coalition of the Portuguese Communist Party and the Ecologist Party “The Greens”) candidacy for the União de Freguesias de Coimbra, held in the historic center of the city.
While acknowledging that several measures depend on central government, Queirós believes that the municipality can still advance with various measures, especially in housing, arguing that “limiting local accommodation” is crucial.
Although Coimbra does not have “the levels of local accommodation seen in Lisbon and Porto,” Queirós expressed concern about the increasing phenomenon of gentrification in Coimbra’s center, fueled by the proliferation of local accommodation and buildings converted into studios rented at “crazy prices.”
To halt “the degree of destruction in the historic center” and attract people to the Baixa, the candidate advocated for “good mobility policies” and the creation of public kindergartens in the historic center, pointing out a significant shortage in this area within the municipality.
“A young couple will hardly settle in a place where, having children, there are no kindergartens, no schools, or if there are, they are private and at truly unaffordable costs,” noted Queirós, who is also a councilor.
Furthermore, Queirós emphasized the need to ensure the continued presence of public services, particularly municipal ones, in Coimbra’s Baixa, along with cultural offerings.
Addressing the vacant and dilapidated buildings in much of Baixinha, the CDU candidate argues that the municipality “can and should intervene, particularly in acquiring buildings and rehabilitating them for affordable housing for families.”
“It is fundamental to retain these young people, and the council has the duty, contrary to the current trend of selling real estate assets, to acquire and rehabilitate properties,” he asserted.
Regarding public housing, the CDU candidate also proposed cooperation with the state to repurpose vacant public buildings under central administration for residential use.
As an example, he cited the old military headquarters on Antero de Quental street, “a huge building” in the city center, which could be adapted to increase the supply of affordable public housing.
In addition to councilor Francisco Queirós, candidates for the Coimbra City Council include current president José Manuel Silva from the coalition Juntos Somos Coimbra (PSD/IL/CDS-PP/NC/PPM/V/MPT), former minister Ana Abrunhosa from the coalition Avançar Coimbra (PS/L/PAN), former deputy José Manuel Pureza from the Left Bloc, Maria Lencastre Portugal from Chega, Sancho Antunes from ADN, and Tiago Martins from Nova Direita.
The current executive comprises six members from the coalition Juntos Somos Coimbra, four from the PS, and one from the CDU.
Municipal elections are scheduled for October 12.
