The Battle Over Outdoor Dining: Parking Spaces vs. Lisbon's Esplanadas

The Rise of Covid Esplanadas

In 2020, to mitigate the pandemic's impact on businesses, Lisbon introduced free outdoor dining spaces, known as esplanadas-covid, without requiring licenses. This pilot project was initiated by the Lisbon City Council and participating parish councils, resulting in a total of 365 esplanadas replacing parking spaces.

Controversy in Arroios and Santo António

Fast forward a year, and two scenarios emerged: some parish councils sought to remove the temporary esplanadas due to their licensing status, while others transitioned them into permanent installations. This article focuses on the controversy in Arroios, where the local council ordered the removal of these outdoor spaces starting September 2022, despite merchants' efforts to secure permanent licenses.

The Situation Today

As of June 2023, complaints from residents regarding noise led to the closure of 38 establishments with esplanadas. The Arroios parish council has not responded to inquiries regarding this issue since June 2022.

In contrast, Santo António has maintained some licensed esplanadas, like those at No Talho Premium Lisboa and Pastaria, despite initially calling for their removal last year. The president of the local council, Vasco Morgado, noted that these esplanadas were meant to be temporary but remain in place.

A Wider Discussion

The debate extends beyond Arroios and Santo António, as other parishes like Olivais and Alvalade have also opted to remove esplanadas-covid. The key question arises: What kind of city do we want? This article sets the stage for a broader discussion on urban space allocation, balancing parking needs with public outdoor dining areas.

Watch the Series

Check out the second episode of the series "The Pandemic Legacy" that explores these themes further.

One of the esplanadas in Arroios at risk of being replaced by a parking space. Photo: Ana Narciso