Uncontrolled Urbanization in Portugal: Experts Sound Alarm on Environmental Risks

Warnings from TERRA Laboratory

Experts from the Associated Laboratory TERRA have raised concerns about the risks of uncontrolled urbanization and the detrimental effects of poor soil management in Portugal.

By TPN/Lusa, 8 hours ago

The organization, comprising over 400 researchers from the universities of Lisbon and Coimbra, emphasizes the importance of sustainability in land use to prevent ecological and economic disasters. Recently, World Soil Day was celebrated on December 5th, underscoring the significance of soil for ecosystems and life.

Government's Controversial Land Law Changes

The government has recently decided to ease land laws, allowing municipalities to release land, especially rustic land, for the construction of public housing or at “moderate prices.” This move has been criticized by Helena Freitas, a biodiversity and ecology professor at the University of Coimbra. She describes the approval of this decision by the Council of Ministers on November 28 as “very worrying.”

Freitas warns that construction on rural land could lead to the loss of valuable agricultural, forestry, or ecosystem areas, jeopardizing biodiversity and ecosystem services. She cites the potential for disorderly urbanization, which may result in uncontrolled urban expansion, inadequate infrastructure, and increased reliance on automobile transport, further compromising local food production.

Call for Sustainable Urban Development

Freitas questions the criteria for determining which rustic lands can be urbanized and how to ensure that such actions do not disrupt the ecological balance. She advocates for the rehabilitation of abandoned or underused buildings in urban areas instead of expanding into rural spaces. Freitas highlights successful European models, such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen, which prioritize urban densification by utilizing underused land.

She concludes by stressing the urgency of defining soil suitability maps to identify critical areas for conservation, agriculture, and biodiversity, ensuring their protection.