Setúbal Municipality and BCP Finalize Protocol for New ‘Sports City’ Development
The Setúbal Municipality has announced that the ‘Cidade Desportiva’ project is set to move forward following the signing of a protocol with Banco Comercial Português (BCP) for the cession of 17.5 hectares of land. The project will be developed in the Vale da Rosa area, adjacent to the existing Complexo Municipal de Atletismo.
The agreement formalizes the transfer of the land parcels required for the construction of a large-scale sports and housing complex. The protocol was signed on September 16 at the Paços do Concelho by the Mayor of Setúbal, André Martins, alongside Pedro Vilas Boas and José Vaz, representatives from BCP's real estate and specialized credit divisions. The proposal had previously received unanimous approval in a public council meeting on September 3.
This development is a key component of the municipality's strategy to enhance the city's appeal for new residents and businesses. Mayor André Martins stated that the project aims to “increase the capacity to attract residents and qualified economic activities, in substitution of the maintenance of obsolete industrial zones.” The project is positioned as a strategic initiative to foster a “better, more environmentally friendly city.”
The land transfer from BCP enables the municipality to begin constructing new sports facilities that will expand upon the current offerings at the athletics complex. The definitive transfer of the property will be concluded as part of a broader urban development operation, which will define the specific land use and occupation models according to the city's new Municipal Master Plan (PDM).
The project is officially designated within the PDM under Sub-Unit of Planning and Management 16.24 – Cidade Desportiva. This designation aims to establish a new central hub with a strong capacity for regional influence. The municipality has clarified that the protocol’s primary objective is the implementation of its territorial and urban planning policies.
Furthermore, the initiative is designed to promote both sports and housing within the council, aligning with Setúbal's Local Housing Strategy 2020-2030 (ELH). The preamble of the signed protocol highlights the Vale da Rosa area as a reference point for developing synergies between sports and residential living, building on the momentum from when Setúbal was named European City of Sport in 2016.
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The document underscores that these integrated developments are considered “determinantes para o aumento da capacidade de captação de residentes e atividades económicas qualificadas.” The collaboration between the public and private sectors is expected to provide concrete solutions for the area's development, transforming it from an underutilized industrial space into a vibrant community hub.
The project's financing structure and specific construction timelines have not yet been publicly detailed, pending the approval of the final urbanistic operation plan. However, the formal agreement marks a critical milestone in advancing the large-scale urban renewal project.
Industry observers note that such public-private partnerships are essential for executing large infrastructure projects that can have a transformative effect on a region. The involvement of a major financial institution like BCP provides a solid foundation for the project's viability.
The development is expected to proceed in phases, with the construction of the new sports facilities being the initial focus. Subsequent phases will likely involve the development of residential units and supporting commercial spaces, though details remain contingent on the forthcoming urban plan.
The municipality will now move forward with the necessary planning and regulatory steps to launch the urban development operation for the site. Monitor new development opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.