Give greater prevalence to smooth mobility. This is the main objective of the requalification of the Largo da Igreja Matriz in Portimão, whose project includes increasing the walking areas and «proceeding to reinforce the identity of the historic center that presents itself without character».
This intervention was presented, first hand, this Wednesday, April 11, within the scope of the IV Week of Urban Rehabilitation of Portimão. The work, which has no scheduled start date yet, as it awaits approval of funding from European Union Funds of CRESC "Algarve2020", focuses only on public space, more specifically on the streets of Igreja, Bispo Castelo Branco, Fernando Coutinho, São Gonçalo and Ernesto Cabrita.
The main aspect is to resolve «the dysfunctions in terms of pedestrian access and parking planning, making both things compatible», as explained by Nuno Cruz, landscape architect at the Portimão Town Council.
The fact is that, currently, there is, in that area, a «prevalence of car use over pedestrian use». The space for road circulation and the parking area itself are "much superior" to the pedestrian, which takes the pedestrian to "residual areas", said Nuno Cruz.
For this reason, a “more generous” dimension will be given to the pedestrian promenade, but not eliminating car circulation. Basically, a coexistence zone will be created.
The idea behind the work is to create an element of physical separation that makes the pedestrian walkway from the rest of the front floor to the Igreja Matriz autonomous. It is also planned to create similar elements in the stairs proposed for the Bispo D. Fernando Coutinho and São Gonçalo streets.
To beautify the Largo da Igreja area, there will be urban furniture, while António Castelo Branco street will be pedestrian only, with the exception of loading and unloading vehicles, for example.
In the area adjacent to the Igreja Matriz, car parking will be suppressed and this will be moved to more distant locations. The aim is that the cars do not affect the Church's observation.
The entire area of future intervention is sensitive from an archaeological point of view, as it is part of the protection zone along the path of the ancient wall of Portimão. Therefore, explained Nuno Cruz to the Sul Informação, in the «zone where the sensitivity is greater, previous manual excavations will be carried out».
In other somewhat less sensitive areas, excavations will be carried out, also beforehand, but mechanically. In areas where it is believed that there are fewer traces, the requalification will take place, but always with an archaeologist on the job. Then, taking into account the findings, the idea is to “mirror to the surface” the outline of the wall.
This work also includes the creation of 19 parking spaces: two for electric vehicles, five for loading and unloading and the rest for other cars.
As for water, sewage, rainwater, public lighting, electrical supply and telecommunications networks, they will also be reformulated. In addition to this, LED luminaires will be placed and an area of Wi-Fi book.
Nuno Cruz believes that the work can «create a new way of living the center», something he considers «pressing», even due to the «high tourist capacity that has to be a driving force for the local economy».
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