The need for a joint response to the housing crisis was highlighted at the 13th ordinary meeting of the Porto Metropolitan Council, held this Friday, the 30th, at the Lugar do Desenho – Júlio Resende Foundation, in Gondomar. The meeting brought together the mayors of the 17 municipalities of the Porto Metropolitan Area (AMP), who also discussed matters related to public transport, innovation, and the region's development.
The Mayor of Gondomar, Luís Filipe Araújo, argued that municipalities are the “true engine of housing policy”, warning about the financial limitations that condition the municipalities' response capacity. For the mayor, it is essential to ensure more funding, greater agility in procedures, and faster implementation of housing solutions.
“"A metropolitan vision for housing is fundamental. We are one city and it will be increasingly so."
In the area of mobility, proposals related to the financing and management of metropolitan transport were approved. The meeting was also marked by the unanimous approval of the governance model for the PITCH – Porto Innovation and Technology Community Hub, with the 17 municipalities reaffirming their commitment to participate in the project's realization. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between universities, companies, and municipalities, promoting innovation, attracting investment, creating skilled employment, and enhancing the region's competitiveness.
As host, Luís Filipe Araújo highlighted the importance of decentralized meetings as an opportunity to value different territories. Pedro Duarte thanked the welcome in an “inspiring place” and also emphasized the importance of this proximity between municipalities.
The meeting also included an exchange of institutional mementos, with Luís Filipe Araújo offering the President of the Porto Metropolitan Council, Pedro Duarte, a print by Master Júlio Resende, titled Moçambique, and a commemorative catalog of the 125th anniversary of the Paços do Concelho.
