Discrete Landscapes in Metropolitan Lisbon: Open Space as a Planning Resource in Times of Latency

Abstract

In a context of changing trends in metropolitan spatial development, associated with economic latency and a slow-down in large urban and infrastructural projects, Lisbon's territory provides an ideal test-bed for alternative approaches to urban planning. Landscape and open space play an increasingly meaningful role in local planning policies, which engage municipalities and multiple actors in partnership projects. Three cases are discussed as examples of a changing attitude towards lighter and discrete interventions, focused on linking patches of fragmented landscape, by reframing planning and delivery schemes and engaging with the community and immaterial qualities.

Keywords::

• Lisbon metropolis
• open space
• urban planning
• landscape design
• discrete landscapes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

^1. This approach led the way for a new generation of planning guidelines: (1) the implementation of several urban policy programs, designated PROQUAL (2001–2006), Polis (2000–2008) and Polis XXI (2009–2011), in which government–municipality partnerships focused on local urban regeneration operations; (2) the gradual development of national sectoral plans (road network, port and maritime sector, logistics and transports), to which territorial plans must comply and adapt and (3) the approval in 2007 of the National Spatial Development Policy Programme, which defines for the first time strategic territorial guidelines for the entire country.

^2.http://www.naturba.eu