Role of Parque Expo

Contract inclusive of mandate to manage and coordinate all necessary activities for the implementation of the envisaged intervention, namely:

• Surveys and studies
• Detailed project plans
• Technical project studies
• Construction contracts
• Negotiations on land availability (by acquisition / expropriation)
• Communications and environment awareness campaign
• Administration and financial management of the project’s vehicle company

Objectives

 
Project plans: 1
City parks: 44,500 sq. metres
Creation and renewal of public areas: 26,352 sq. metres
Pedestrian malls/restriction of vehicle traffic in selected streets: 14,500 sq. metres
New cycling track extension: 500 m
Deterrent parking: 850 bays
Landscaping and enhancement of gardened areas of buildings and areas of historical interest: 3,600 sq. metres
Restored buildings: 21
Square metreage of restored buildings: 38,092 sq. metres
No. of demolitions for urban renewal works: 10
Square metreage of demolition area for urban renewal works: 31,700 sq. metres
Environmental Interpretation and Monitoring Centre: 1
Polis enquiries counters: 1

Executive Summary

The city of Castelo Branco’s Polis Program aims to renew and revitalise its Civic and Historical Centre, through various interventions on its public areas.

The guidelines for the envisaged actions include street restoration and the creation of new squares, introduction of underground parking facilities as a means of reducing vehicle traffic and chaotic street parking, and, consequently, demarcating some streets as pedestrian malls.

In addition, the intervention considers the possibility of fully demolishing a bulky building sited within the city’s Historical Centre as a means of correcting Castelo Branco’s urban skyline.

The installation of a non-polluting, mechanical transportation device to connect the Historical Centre and the city’s Castle is also being envisaged, if technically and financially feasible, and provided the lift operation becomes self-sustainable.

Along those lines, the following features deserve highlight:

• Renewal and upgrading of public areas within the Civic Centre and the city’s Historical Zone with the creation of Devesa Square, Académica Square, and Postiguinho de Valadares Square;
• Construction of new underground parking facilities;
• Restoration of the Castle’s parkland area, the S. Gens sightseeing spot, the City Park/Loureiros Garden and the Paço Garden;
• Restructuring road circulation within the  Civic Centre –Devesa Square and Historical Centre;
• Refurbishment of utility fixtures, signage, and other urban infrastructure within public areas;
• Construction of an Environmental Interpretation and Monitoring Centre.