CURRENT SITUATION OF THE VALE DE CHELAS

The area is characterized by its industrial heritage. Former industrial areas, workers’ vilas, mansions of factory owners, old factories and chimneys are witnesses of the past, a time of change in working culture when the valley was a vivid region.

Today, unlike its location, the Vale de Chelas shows many attributes of transition zones of metropolitan areas.

The low level of connection exacerbates the situation and creates a vulnerable situation that is isolated in its urban context. The building stock and the spatial arrangement have grown heterogenously over the course of time: from structures of industrialization to urban blocks to residential towers. Vacancy, fallow land, the dominance of the street, old trade buildings, ruins, infrastructure deficiencies, spatial boundaries, low access to public transport and many obscure corners leave an unwelcoming impression.

As a somewhat forgotten area the Vale de Chelas works as a collector for a socially disadvantaged, fragile part of society, for those who need to overcome many obstacles to gain access to the labor market.

Yet, in terms of landscape and historical aspects, the area has a lot of potential. As well as there are small communities and social meeting points already existing.

Due to the difficult housing market situation in the city, intensified by misguided policies and tourism, the valley has the great potential to position itself in a niche for affordable housing and work space near the city center.

Currently a suburban settlement, surrounded by greenery and neglected in its urban context, the spatial and social conditions of the Vale de Chelas are the essential factors and potential triggers for the development of the area. The localization, the existing infrastructure and its history can be the bearers of development in spatial, social and economical aspects and shape its identity.

CONCEPT ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF SPATIAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS

Specific impulses in existing buildings and spatial links in the valley, as well as with the city center, ignite the development and gradual integration in lisbon in order to create a sustainable valorisation:

Priority in the development process is the legitimacy of the current population to avoid relocation:

The development may happen bottom up, according to a socially oriented community.

A major role is played by the activation of the existing rail track and the new metro station, in its catchmentarea also including adjacent quaters. The improvement of the link to the city center not only functions as a catalyst for the relevance in the city, influx of people and capital, enlivement of public space and mobility, but also as a token of the self-determination of the inhabitants.

Interconection is enhanced by new paths for individual transport and pedestrians, visual connections and a green network. The surrounding neigbourhoods are integrated in those ways and public spaces get enlivened by dencification and the reduction of the dark corners.

The community as a whole is strengthened through public facilities, ways of collaborative work, shared spaces, publicly oriented housing forms, local recreation areas and the mix of uses.

Selected sites and historical objects in strategic location are reconstructed and transferred into the possession of the public to become community facilities and meeting places that serve as magnets.

In order to improve the residential situation, building plots that are topographically difficult to build on are made accessable by experts in order to become usable. A Community-based program is being developed to provide different housing options.

Participation and commitment are general principles for designing the new spaces.

STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1| activation of the site

Organized as leashold properties, land is allocated by the Oortugese state and / or the municipality of Beato. Loans are granted by the European Union, for example as EIB investment loans or framework loans. Accessibility is provided by the municipality, as well as the the mediation of public space.

2| housing development

Families, building cooperatives and individuals can choose from various programs, how to live and how to develop their living space. Flexible, variable layouts allow individual extension for different needs. The new housing can be cooperatively organised in alternative financing concepts to ensure that it is socially fair and affordable.

Existing residential buildings may be renovated and gaps between buildings are to be supplemented. There is potential for new, experimental, cooperative forms of housing and working.

Selforganization and individual responsibility on a local basis, in terms of economic and housing development, guarantee a strong sense of community.

Long-term capital growth is made possible by the conversion of the area and the improvement of its image as well as the improved connection. This leads to investments by residents and the recovery of the social structure. Strong identification ties capital and reinvestment to the valley.