Setúbal Launches €1.2 Million ‘Setúbal Connect’ to Digitize Historic Center
A major initiative to revitalize the historic commercial center of Setúbal was unveiled this week with the presentation of the ‘Setúbal Connect’ project. Local merchants and business owners gathered at the Convento de Jesus to learn about the new digital platforms, which are part of a Bairro Comercial Digital (Digital Commercial District) program. The project, backed by a €1.2 million investment from Portugal’s Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR), aims to significantly boost the local economy and draw more visitors to the city’s downtown area.
The comprehensive project includes the development of an integrated online marketplace for local shops and services, a dedicated mobile application, and a new website to promote the district’s activities. Furthermore, the plan involves a significant upgrade to the public infrastructure, including the rollout of free public Wi-Fi, the installation of seven interactive outdoor digital panels (mupis), and smart benches equipped with mobile phone charging capabilities. This investment is the second-largest among the 95 digital districts approved for funding across the country.
During the presentation, Mayor André Martins stated that the primary goal is to “apoiar o crescimento e a qualificação do comércio local” (support the growth and qualification of local commerce) and to make the downtown area “mais atrativa para os consumidores e os visitantes” (more attractive for consumers and visitors). He emphasized that these digital tools are designed to help businesses “potenciar os seus negócios e a chegar a mais clientes” (enhance their businesses and reach more customers). The mayor also noted that the success of the digital initiative is linked to parallel improvements in mobility, parking, public cleaning, and security, calling for more police resources to ensure public safety.
Beatriz Amaro, the manager of the Bairro Comercial Digital, who works directly with the local establishments, described the project as the culmination of “quase dois anos de muito trabalho” (almost two years of hard work). The intervention area is extensive, running from the Troino neighborhood to the Miradouro, and south to the main waterfront avenue, Avenida José Mourinho, encompassing the Baixa Comercial and the landmark Mercado do Livramento.
Technology consultants detailed the project’s innovative features. Mafalda Ricca of XPLR explained the augmented reality component, which will provide users with immersive content and virtual tours of the city’s points of interest via the mobile app. Tiago Marques from Visualforma presented the network of interactive digital panels, which will offer useful information, event schedules, and even allow users to take and email selfies. Francisco Braga of Immera showcased the marketplace, available at setubalconnect.pt, describing it as “a montra digital do bairro” (the digital showcase of the district). He highlighted that the platform is uniquely store-centric, allowing customers to connect directly with local businesses, pre-reserve products, and participate in loyalty programs, all while viewing the store’s location on an integrated map. Explore community-focused property opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.
