“This municipal land, with enough capacity for around 800 homes, will see 80 studio apartments, 260 one-bedroom flats, 260 two-bedroom homes, 160 three-bedroom residences, and 40 four-bedroom units constructed. We will create an appealing space with areas for gardens, children’s facilities, and commercial establishments,” stated at a site in front of the Campanhã Slaughterhouse.
When questioned about the timeline for launching public tenders for the land next to the Internal Beltway (VCI), it was mentioned that by 2026, a tender can be launched for a public-private partnership, where a private partner would be responsible for the designs, obtaining financing, and construction.
Regarding potential delays in construction due to civil engineering contingencies and legal issues, and how 5,000 homes would be built by the end of the term, Manuel Pizarro (PS) emphasized that “the incentives are aligned for this.”
“We are simplifying public procurement by having only a single tender for each project, granting a private entity or cooperative the opportunity to build on the land. There is only one moment of decision. The rest of the process—design, construction—depends on the new partner and is not subject to public procurement rules,” he explained.
Pizarro further stated that the incentives “encourage the winner of the tender to respond swiftly, as they will only be compensated once the houses are available,” contrasting with previous vacant tenders for housing at Monte Pedral and Monte da Bela in the current municipal term.
In those cases, “there was a tender for the urbanization plan, followed by the project, and now they want the private partner to build under conditions set by the city council for approved projects, something that clearly does not work.”
Asked to respond to criticisms from Pedro Duarte (PSD/CDS-PP/IL) accusing him of hiding his program, Manuel Pizarro (PS) referred to it as “a criticism made in desperation.”
“We have been showcasing our program’s measures. The ‘Habitar no Porto’ program was presented on July 10,” he recalled, describing his candidacy as “absolutely transparent.”
Pizarro also expressed hope that “no one from the Government dares to hinder Porto City Council when it proposes to invest municipal resources in solving the housing problem, which is a government responsibility,” also criticizing CDS-PP leader Nuno Melo for interfering in Porto’s campaign by questioning immigration.
“They are distressed and all support a government delegate [criticizing Pedro Duarte] for Porto City Council. They want to divert my attention from what I consider most important. I will let Dr. Nuno Melo discuss that, while I focus on housing for young people and the middle class, which I find more useful,” he concluded.
The candidates for Porto City Council include Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU – PCP/PEV coalition), Nuno Cardoso (Porto Primeiro – NC/PPM coalition), Pedro Duarte (PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition), Sérgio Aires (BE), current Vice-President Filipe Araújo (Fazer à Porto – independent), Guilherme Alexandre Jorge (Volt), Hélder Sousa (Livre), Miguel Corte-Real (Chega), Frederico Duarte Carvalho (ADN), Maria Amélia Costa (PTP), and Luís Tinoco Azevedo (PLS).
The current executive comprises a majority of six elected members from Rui Moreira’s movement and an independent councilor, with the remainder consisting of two PS members, two from PSD, one from CDU, and one from BE.
Municipal elections are scheduled for Sunday.
