As articulated by João Ferreira, who also serves as an opposition councilor in the capital, the CDU’s solution is straightforward: implementing an intervention plan for these neighborhoods, aiming at urban regeneration strategies that address public spaces and buildings, external insulation, structural issues, and internal housing conditions, he stated.
Ferreira emphasized the necessity for a social intervention that includes the active participation of local residents in addressing their issues, noting that involvement prompts people to care in different ways.
The CDU campaign’s meeting point was the Residents Association before touring a district where “almost everything is lacking.”
Some buildings are scaffolded, yet, according to accompanying residents and onlookers, the work is confined to facades and rooftops, leaving interior homes in disrepair: moisture causes peeling walls, and public spaces consist of merely two or three stone benches with no playgrounds in sight.
On the fifth floor of a nine-story building, Nuno Santos’ mother purchased the flat years back when “the City Council was selling.” Now bedridden, she relies on her son and neighbors or firefighters to exit the building, as neither elevator is operational.
Ferreira highlighted how specific resident issues have been raised to Lisbon’s city administration. The government allocated 140 million euros over five years for these neighborhoods, aided by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), but this sum “does not allow for reaching all areas.”
“This is evident. Not only will existing issues in intervened areas remain, as internal housing problems are overlooked, but numerous others requiring urgent attention will see no action in the five-year timeframe,” he observed.
Ferreira asserted that although these neighborhoods lack essentials, the Municipal Council possesses ample resources to address the situation. He referenced the proposal to refund 270 million euros of IRS to the Lisbon population, previously cited as funds that could refurbish schools.
“We are talking about a Municipal Council with a budget exceeding 1.3 billion euros. The IRS refund is one illustration… It isn’t solely about those [270 million]; it’s a demonstration of resource allocation. The management choices generate significant citywide contrasts,” he argued.
Lisbon encompasses over 60 municipal neighborhoods under Gebalis’s management, responsible for their social and property aspects.
In the municipal elections on October 12, candidates for Lisbon’s mayoralty include Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), João Ferreira (CDU-PCP/PEV), Bruno Mascarenhas (Chega), Ossanda Líber (Nova Direita), José Almeida (Volt), Adelaide Ferreira (ADN), Tomaz Ponce Dentinho (PPM/PTP), and Luís Mendes (RIR).
The current municipal executive contains seven from the “Novos Tempos” coalition – PSD/CDS-PP/MPT/PPM/Aliança, seven from the “Mais Lisboa” coalition – PS/Livre, two from the CDU, and one from the BE.
