Housing institute to build 40 affordable rental homes in Bragança
The state housing and urban rehabilitation institute, IHRU, plans to build 40 homes in Bragança for affordable rental. The city's mayor gave the news to the Lusa news agency.
New Azores architects' chief wants regional powers used to tackle housing
The incoming head of the Azores section of the Order of Architects says the region's autonomy could be used to adapt planning and building rules that she considers ill-suited to local conditions and slow to deliver housing. She calls for faster new-build systems, suitable rehabilitation and a regional housing plan ahead of municipal housing charters, which councils underuse for lack of technical staff. She warns of early gentrification from tourism pressure, and urges seismic assessment of older buildings, greater use of local materials and a special architect career in public administration.
Commentator says rent caps would shrink housing supply and rejects the housing protest camp's demands
A commentator on Portugal's housing crisis argues that capping rents, as the Acampada pela Habitação protest camp demands, would not build a single home and could push landlords to withdraw properties from the market. He cites a 2019 study of San Francisco, which found rent control cut the supply of affected rental units by about 15%, and Berlin's 2020 freeze, which reduced listings before Germany's constitutional court struck it down. Existing tenants gain, he says, while first-time renters lose out. He calls instead for more construction and renovation, faster licensing, legislative stability and targeted public housing and support.
Economist urges liberalising building land and releasing public property to ease housing shortage
Ricardo Arroja, in an opinion piece, argues that the most useful thing the state could do to promote housing is to free up the supply of land that can be built on. He also wants public land and buildings brought into use for homes. The approach rests on increasing supply rather than on subsidies or demand-side measures.
Portugal's rent debate overlooks costs fixed before a home is built
Discussion of Portugal's rental market tends to centre on rent levels, how few homes are available and the struggle families have to find somewhere that fits their income. The opening of this commentary suggests the price of a rent is already being shaped at an earlier stage, before any building work begins.
Caranguejeira parish head would spend unlimited budget on restoring empty homes
In a survey of local parish council presidents marking 50 years since the first democratic local elections, the head of Caranguejeira's junta set out his priorities. They include basic services such as sanitation, drinking water and street lighting, support for the elderly, vulnerable families and disabled people, and better roads and pavements. He also wants to revive local commerce and community associations. Given an unlimited budget, he would rehabilitate vacant housing, build a sports complex, upgrade schools, create green spaces and press for a Local Health Unit offering varied care close to home.
Batalha puts 612,000-euro price on revised Golpilheira eco-park, nearly double the earlier plan
The revised plan for the Golpilheira eco-park in Batalha has been costed at 612,000 euros, a figure presented at a council meeting so that applications for EU funding can be prepared. The previous administration's version was around 300,000 euros. Mayor André Sousa put the rise down to electrical infrastructure, fencing and an extra module for a multipurpose community space with a shared kitchen. The 2,500-square-metre site would have footpaths, green areas, a playground, exercise zones, parking and LED lighting. Opposition councillors argued the project is essentially unchanged from 2025. The mayor stressed the park only goes ahead if EU funds are approved.
Portugal's environment minister sets renewables and fossil fuel exit as tests of COP31 success
As COP31 opens in Antalya, Turkey, Portugal's Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, says the summit will count as good only if countries agree on more renewables, a just transition, less dependence on fossil fuels and a strong focus on adaptation. The EU wants to reaffirm the pledge to triple renewable output and adaptation funding by 2035, and backs Turkey's proposed 35% electricity share in final energy use. Carvalho expects hard talks, citing resistance from oil producers led by Saudi Arabia, as well as Russia. She will lead negotiations on the just transition in the second week, presenting Portugal as a model.
Government weighs consolidating its public stake in the Sines refinery
The Minister for Environment and Energy has indicated that Galp still plans to split its commercial and industrial activities, even though its deal with Moeve fell through. Against that backdrop, the Government is looking at the option of concentrating the public stake it holds in the Sines refinery.
