The landscaping of the 26,000-square-meter Vale dos Amores Environmental Park in Vila Nova de Gaia should begin by the end of the year, announced the chairman of the Gaiurb Board of Directors, António Miguel Castro, adding that the work should take around a year.
The public management of the land on which the new urban park will be built was the subject of a collaboration protocol signed between Gaia City Council and real estate developer Promiris, which provides for the land, which is privately owned, to be transferred to the municipal domain and for maintenance.
As part of a new development that will be set up in that part of the city, the municipality is taking over the management and maintenance of the more than two hectares with the commitment to give the city back a space to use and enjoy.
During the ceremony, which took place on May 29, in the cloisters of the Corpus Christi Convent, the mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues, who assumed that the municipality was unable to make this investment, stressed that, later on, it will be necessary to create restaurant spaces.
Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues also said that “what makes sense in cities today is, in addition to housing, to create spaces for leisure, greenery and enjoyment”.
The project for the new urban park represents an investment of between 500,000 and 750,000 euros and aims to make a connection between the upper level - next to Arrábida Shopping - and the lower level, next to the river, as well as linking the metro, the hospital and the park for greater accessibility.
The Vale dos Amores Environmental Park will have a picnic and informal recreation area, a sports area, an observation tower and walkways.
“The new park means the creation of a green lung in the center of the city of Gaia, which reinforces our sustainable commitment to providing the community with outdoor spaces that bring people together and balance their quality of life,” said the chairman of Gaiurb's Board of Directors.
António Miguel Castro, who welcomed the articulation between the private sector and public management, highlighted the importance of these public and green spaces for people's well-being and quality of life.
By the way, it's worth remembering that Quinta de Vale de Amores, with a rich history dating back to the 14th century, is where the Belgian Promiris group is building its Gaia Hills development. This project aims to transform the area into an exclusive residential neighborhood, preserving historical elements such as a panel of decorative tiles from the old palace. The residential development has a total of 270 luxury apartments overlooking the Douro River and Porto's historic center, in around 30,000 square meters of construction.
Image credits: Gaiurb
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
