Lisbon's Bold Move: 20 Kilometers of Unsightly Cables Removed from City Facades

Lisbon's Cable Removal Initiative

In a significant urban beautification effort, Lisbon has successfully removed 20 kilometers of cables from its facades over the past ten months. This initiative began as a pilot project in January, targeting multiple locations including Avenida da Igreja, Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, and Largo de São Sebastião da Pedreira. According to the Lisbon City Council, around 200 buildings were involved in this initial phase.

Image Credit: DR/CML

Progress and Future Plans

The city has successfully eliminated both inactive and active cables, with the latter being relocated underground. The current phase, which commenced in October in the Bairro Azul area, is set to remove an additional 10 kilometers of inactive cables from streets such as Fialho de Almeida and Ressano Garcia. This operation is expected to conclude within two months.

Despite the progress, some areas like Parada do Alto de São João and Avenida da Igreja still have remnants of cables. In response, the City Council is reviewing the Public Space Infrastructure Regulation and creating a support guide for property owners regarding cable removal. It is important to note that requests for removing telecommunications poles or cables on private properties must be directed to the respective operators, as clarified by the National Communications Authority (ANACOM).