Lisbon – Creative urban projects

12 March 2023

Explore how Lisbon used creative urban projects to revitalise its riverfront, public squares, and historic quarters through this photo essay.

This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.

Lisbon responded to its challenges by implementing creative urban projects that revitalised neighbourhoods and promoted public engagement. Car-free zones and celebrating diverse communities contribute to Lisbon's dynamic and diverse character. Discover more in this photo essay.

One of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal and predates other contemporary European capitals by centuries. Lisbon experienced recent turbulent times of transition, including the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755[^1] and the aftermath of the 1974 Carnation Revolution[^2], which introduced 500,000 new residents to the city as well as social tensions and infrastructure issues.

In the ensuing decades, Lisbon has responded by implementing creative urban projects to get more done with less, encouraging a fresh influx of energy and rediscovery. By implementing strategic projects, it is readying itself to meet present and future challenges.

White ornate triumphal arch with sculptures flanked by yellow buildings, a yellow tram passing beneath on a cobblestone plaza.

Praca do Comercio © TTstudio/Shutterstock

Yellow tram number 28 to Prazeres rounds a cobblestone curve beside a large stone cathedral with a rose window.

A yellow tram passing in front of Santa Maria cathedral in Lisbon © Kraft_Stoff/Shutterstock

Lisbon riverfront, redefined

The Lisbon riverfront holds significant importance as it not only serves as a natural boundary for the city but also boasts key developments and car-free areas that have transformed the area into a vibrant and popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

In 2008, the federal government and the Port of Lisbon launched the 'General Intervention Plan for the Lisbon Riverside Region' which involved strategic projects to redefine the 19-kilometre riverside area along the Targus River, including the establishment of car-free areas to prioritise pedestrians.

Large ornate triumphal arch and grand colonnaded buildings overlook a crowded plaza packed with parked cars.

A bronze equestrian statue on a stone pedestal stands in a large open square with people walking and cycling nearby.

Before and after: Praça do Comercio or Commerce Square used to be parking lots for cars but is now a fully pedestrianised plaza © Lisboa City Council (top); laranik/Shutterstock (bottom)

Two tall glass towers with pointed tops rise above a modern waterfront complex under a partly cloudy sky.

The 1998 Lisbon World Exposition transformed the Parque da Nações neighbourhood, and is first in a series of rejuvenation on the Lisbon riverfront © ELEPHOTOS/Shuttershock

Modern concrete building labeled Ciencia with people walking in a paved plaza and trees on both sides.

Contemporary science museum (originally part of 1998 Lisbon World Exposition) by Carrilho da Graça © Damien Woon

People sitting and lying on a green lawn in front of a large white building with an orange tiled roof and palm trees.

Campo das Cebolas – a landscaped square on the riverfront © Damien Woon

A black cocktail cart with striped awning on a waterfront promenade, with people nearby and a sailboat in the background.

Activities on the Lisbon riverfront © Damien Woon

Two people stand outside a large modern concrete building with a slanted facade and a tall tree near the entrance.

Lisbon Cruise Terminal (Novo Terminal de Cruzeiros de Lisboa) designed by Carrilho da Graça Arquitectos © Damien Woon

A person runs past a curved stone auditorium building with oval windows and a glass tube bridge overhead.

Fundação Champalimaud designed by Charles Correa Associates © Damien Woon

Two people walk on a cobblestone waterfront beside a large curved modern building with people on its rooftop terrace.

Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) designed by Amanda Levete © Damien Woon

Neighbourhood public spaces, redeveloped

Lisbon is actively revitalising its neighbourhoods through the 'A Square in Each Neighbourhood' programme, which aims to develop 30 public squares throughout the city. The programme has garnered greater public participation and ownership of neighborhood public spaces over the first five years since its launch.

As a result, the number of cyclists and pedestrians in the Central Axis area increased significantly, indicating the success of Lisbon's approach in selecting the most effective urban interventions for bringing about a positive change.

Black and white photo of a gas station under an elevated bridge with cars and a person carrying a bag nearby.

Children play in a wooden-bordered playground under a large concrete bridge, with a green lawn and city buildings nearby.

Before and after: under the viaduct © BB Arquitectos (top); FG + SG fotografia de arquitectura (bottom)

Person with backpack and rolling luggage walking through an outdoor parking lot under an overpass, with trees and buildings behind.

People sit and walk in an urban plaza with sprawling trees, concrete benches, and city buildings in the background.

Before and after: Avenida Manuel Ricardo Espírito Santo © José Adrião Arquitectos (top); FG + SG fotografia de arquitectura (bottom)

Black and white street scene with a large ornate corner building, parked cars, street poles, trees, and a cloudy sky.

A young person skateboarding on a wide urban plaza with a large ornate building and blue sky behind them.

Black and white street scene with cars, ornate buildings, a large tree, and a street lamp at an urban intersection.

People walking on a decorative black and white mosaic stone plaza lined with trees and tall buildings.

A historic quarter, transformed

Lisbon transformed the historically stigmatised Mouraria quarter into a vibrant and diverse district by celebrating and enhancing the multi-ethnic character of the area's migrant communities. This involved restoring historic buildings, cobblestone pavements, and installing artworks to commemorate the birth of Fado in the neighbourhood. The TODOS Caminhada de Culturas Festival was established in 2009 to celebrate the cultural richness of Mouraria.

A man in an orange hat and shorts poses on a mosaic pedestrian street lined with buildings and outdoor cafe seating.

An elderly woman walks past a weathered white building with a green awning reading Mini Mercado Halal on a cobblestone street.

Black and white poster of a smiling woman with a flower in her hair, mounted in a stone frame on a wall.

White neoclassical hotel facade with ornate balconies, blue-framed windows, and a central arched entrance reading Hotel 1908.

Sunny city square with people sitting on stone benches under trees, ornate buildings, and pedestrians walking on cobblestone pavement.

[^1]: The Great Lisbon earthquake took place on November 1st, 1755, during the Feast of All Saints in Portugal. The earthquake, along with fires and a tsunami, caused significant damage to Lisbon and its surrounding areas, almost completely destroying them. (Source: Wikipedia.com (opens in new tab))
[^2]: The Carnation Revolution, also known as the 25 April, was a military coup that took place in Lisbon on April 25th, 1974. The coup overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo regime and led to the establishment of the Third Portuguese Republic, which ended the paternal autocratic rule of António de Oliverira Salazar and Marcello Caetano. (Source: Wikipedia.com (opens in new tab))