URBAN PLANNING AND SOCIAL COHESION

THE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE AND THE CASE OF PORTUGAL

Abstract

This paper proposes a reading of the Portuguese spatial planning within the context of Europe, seeking to set with other cases, especially the Brazilian one, in situations considered comparable. The paper starts by analysing the current situation in Portugal in terms of territorial structure and planning, and recent evolutions. The main types of plans, projects and programmes governing Portuguese planning are then highkighted (within the scope of the European Union and events associated with the planning-exhibitionism that look place at the turn of the century). The effects they have generated are critically evaluated and the paper concludes with a number of considerations, aimed at contributing to a policy proposal. Based on the analysis developed previously of the outcomes of the different planning measures and bearing in mind their role in other historical and geographical settings, the final part highlights the need for structuring socially cohesive, environmentally sustainable and economically competitive territories. To this end, it is imperative that Portugal establish a supra-municipal and sub-regional dimension with the relevant political and administrative weight, so as to respond to the problems and challenges of a greatly expanded and fragmented urban space, in an effort to boost is an urgent need to intersect spatial and strategic planning which actively involves and empowers the local development agents.