Gondomar Polis Project - Sustainable Requalification of Gondomar’s River Douro Waterfront

Gondomar Polis Project - Sustainable Requalification of Gondomar's River Douro Waterfront

PORTUGAL

Gondomar Municipality

5th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns

Session A5- Sustainable (re-)designing of districts


PORTUGAL



Joaquim Flores

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Structure

Introduction

Objectives

POLIS Programme


Gondomar Polis Project

Conclusions



Objectives

To present the Gondomar Polis Project in relation withthe Aalborg Commitments:

1- regeneration of an area environmentally degradedfor the benefit of all;

2 – avoid urban sprawl in a greenfield site;

3 – rehabilitation and re-use of cultural heritage;

4 – promote high quality urban design standards



POLIS Programme

Programme for Urban Improvement and Environmental Enhancement of Towns and Cities

- Portuguese Program of the central administration inpartnership with the local city councils, initiated in 2000

- Main Objective:

- To improve the quality of live in Portuguese cities through urban and environmental interventions



Interventions in 39 Portuguese cities:

- 28 large integrated operations

- 12 minor interventions

POLIS Programme




full signatory of the Aalborg Charter

North of Portugal

One of the 14 municipalities of Porto Great Metropolitan Area




Census of 2001 - population of 164.096 inhabitants

131,9 Km2 of Area

forest, agriculture and naturalprotected resources - more than50% of Territory

Forest Area

Forest in Urban Consolidated

Forest Spaces

Gold jewellery handcraft,Services, Agriculture and Forest,are the main economic activities




Porto

Gondomar

River Douro

waterfront

Atlantic

waterfront

gives continuity to the Porto River Douro Front along 35 Km



Gondomar Polis ProjectPotential:

Riverfront of 35 Km

Problems:

- the urban growth becomes progressively stronger

-

- leisure phenomenon

also generates pressure

- private ownership

Leads to Environmental degradation



Gondomar Polis Project1999/2000:

Strategic Plan

14 Km of riverfront

-

main objectives:

control the urban sprawl

requalify the area

in a sustainable way, (saving

environmental qualities, improving atthe same time the economic and sociallevel of the local inhabitants)

Porto

Crestuma Dam

National Road 108




2001:

Gondomar Polis Project approved

4,5 Km of riverfront

44 hectares

14.900.000,00€

90% Central Government

10% Municipality

Started 2002

Will finish in 2009




Pedestrian and cycle

way – 4,5 Km

Gramido valley park /

Green corridor

Gramido central node

Porto Oriental Park

Freixo (Porto) Museums

and marina

Gondomar City Centre

Pedestrian and cycle

way – 1,5 Km




Strategic Actions:

- Surveys and Studies

- Waterfront requalification projects and works




Surveys and Studies:

- Geographical Information System (GIS)

- Sight Plan

- River pollution surveys (partnership)

- Environmental Impact Assessment




Sight Plan




Waterfront requalification projects and works:

- Waterfront requalification

- Rehabilitation of Gramido Historic House

- Construction of Gramido Nautical Centre

- Construction of Gramido car parking




Preliminary Program

Definition of 5 Waterfront Requalification Units (Projects) - Units A,

B, C, D e E according to landscape units




Preliminary Program

Flood survey and cartography




Preliminary Program

Technical specifications for cycle and pedestrian way




Preliminary Program

Project Criteria:

- Concrete program definition

- Quality design standards

- Universal mobility (all locals accessible)

- Connections with public transportation

- Avoid impermeabilization of the soil

- Flood study – appropriated materials and techniques

- Use of local adapted vegetation, avoiding green spaces with watering systems

Rehabilitation of Gramido Historic House (2005/2006) – 788.600,00€

Session A5- Sustainable (re-)designing of districtsGondomar Polis Project - Sustainable Requalification of Gondomar's River Douro Waterfront

Museum of Gold Jewellery

Partnership - AIORN

Gramido Nautical Centre (2006-2007)

1.350.000,00€


Partnership – Local Club

Mix of generations

Waterfront requalification

Unit C – Gramido

1.600.000,00€

33.000 m2

389 m of

waterfront

456 m of cycle and

pedestrian way

5.100 m2 of public

/ green space


Partnership with Public Institute to bring tourist

boats

Gondomar Environmental Centre

Passal Farm


Partnership with Lipor

Environmental education

Sustainable design

Energy and water conservation

Biological farms

Educational farm



Conclusions

Weakness

- Lack of public participation

- Central Government financial support dependence

- Time delay due to complex plot of public/private entities



ConclusionsStrengths

- Avoid urban sprawl in a green area

- Environmental and landscape requalification of this degraded green area

- Turning a semi-public area in a quality public green space for benefit of all

- Promote tourism to bring local income

- Establishment of partnerships to ensure sustainable exploration

Technology

Gondomar Polis Project - Sustainable Requalification of Gondomar’s River Douro Waterfront