The Municipality of Viseu has taken another step towards the balanced urban development of the municipality by approving a new urban study for the Fontelo, Gumirães, and Rio de Loba areas. The proposal covers a total area of 36.1 hectares, prioritizing the construction of residential buildings while also integrating commerce, services, public facilities, squares, and green spaces.
The Mayor, João Azevedo, highlighted the decision's importance for territorial development and investment capacity, particularly in housing. "We are organizing the territory, preparing it for the future," he stated.
The intervention will be carried out in two phases: a priority first phase in the southern zone, covering approximately 14.7 hectares, and a second phase in the northern zone, with about 20.9 hectares. The Councilor for Urbanism, Miguel Pipa, mentioned that the proposal aims to "enable and unlock urban land, and also address infrastructure and access deficiencies that have significantly constrained our territory."
Miguel Pipa recalled that during this term, 73.5 hectares have already been unlocked for urban investment through four studies, including those previously approved for the Repeses Centro, Viso Norte, and Aguieira areas. The new study establishes integrated urban development, coordinating housing, commerce, services, facilities, and public spaces.
Regarding accessibility, the study foresees the creation of a new main road connecting the old EN229 (Rua do Fontelo) and Rua Fernando Pessoa, along with new links between existing streets, aiming to improve traffic flow and eliminate dead ends in the road network. It also includes an interconnected network of squares, public spaces, pedestrian paths, and green areas, featuring a tree-lined strip along the new road to ensure landscape and ecological continuity with the Mata do Fontelo.
