The Algarve 2030 Regional Program launched a notice of competition for urban centers in the region to build and implement partnerships for common investments aimed at new generation urban networks, more competitive, more sustainable and with digitalization strategies that contribute to smarter territories.
The allocation for this Integrated Territorial Instruments (ITI) Urban Networks competition is 23,9 million euros (ERDF – European Regional Development Fund and maximum contribution of 60%) and the types of intervention include digitalization for efficiency items of services, natural heritage, sustainable mobility, Culture and Cultural Heritage.
In terms of framework, the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) explains that the Algarve 2030 Regional Development Strategy defines a supportive territorial model with competitive insertion at higher scales, without being conditioned by administrative limits, enhancing opportunities for cooperation with other geographies.
If cities and urban policies must be considered key elements of territorial organization, imposing themselves as concrete and dense spaces for intervention and innovation and the construction of new collective trajectories, low-density territories must be considered as spaces of balance and a pivotal element of a more cohesive organization of the territory and its production systems, imposing a functional interconnection between the urban coast and the interior to efficiently take advantage of resources that materialize new development opportunities, promoting greater levels of cohesion.
«The regional urban system, similar to that defined by the National Spatial Planning Policy Program (PNPOT) for the national level, aims to stabilize a polycentric system and is structured in the combination of regional urban centers and other urban centers to which polarity corridors are added, adopted from the terminology of the Algarve Regional Spatial Planning Plan (PROT Algarve)», explains the CCDR in a note, noting that two regional urban centers (Faro and Portimão) structure the organization of the territory, with a diverse offer of urban functions, standing out for the concentration of resident population, its economic base and the attractiveness of its urban functions.
«These regional centers are articulated with other centers, as basic support for the organization of the territory in the provision of services of general interest, through strong interaction in the areas of influence of Faro, especially with Loulé, Olhão, São Brás de Alportel, Quarteira, Almancil and Tavira, and Portimão with Lagoa, Lagos, Silves, Monchique, Aljezur and Vila do Bispo».
The CCDR also highlights Albufeira, which, given its regional centrality, polarizes the articulation between the two regional centers and has its own area of influence, especially with the nodes in the neighboring municipalities of Silves and Loulé. Vila Real de Santo António connects with Castro Marim, Alcoutim and Tavira, also benefiting from potential cooperation with Andalusia, on the Guadiana axis.
Proposals for urban networks will, in particular, have to justify their inclusion in the territories' competitiveness strategy, the articulation and functions of the network, as well as their contribution to regional development.
Open notices can be consulted here.
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