Viana do Castelo and Lugo Form Partnership to Address High-Speed Rail Impact
The municipal leaders of Viana do Castelo, Portugal, and Lugo, Spain, have announced a new collaborative partnership focused on managing the future impacts of the high-speed train (TGV) network. The initiative, which builds on a 30-year history of the cities being twinned, was detailed during the first official visit of Lugo's new mayor, Miguel Fernández, to Viana do Castelo. The collaboration aims to preemptively address the challenges and opportunities presented by the major infrastructure project.
The announcement was made in the presence of Xoán Vázquez Mao, the Secretary-General of the Eixo Atlântico (Atlantic Axis), a cross-border association of municipalities. Vázquez Mao emphasized the importance of the partnership, noting that both cities are entering a period of significant transformation. In Lugo, construction of the TGV station and track is already underway, and it is expected to be the last Galician capital to be connected to the high-speed network. Viana do Castelo, already served by the upgraded Linha do Minho, is also poised to be positively affected by the new TGV line, which is expected to bring substantial changes to regional mobility and tourism.
A primary objective of the joint initiative is to steer tourism development towards a model of sustainability and quality. Both mayors, supported by the Eixo Atlântico, expressed a shared vision to avoid "massive and low-cost" tourism. The concern, as articulated by Vázquez Mao, is that unchecked tourism growth could "spoil the cities, the housing, make it impossible for young people to rent, and displace the elderly from the city centers." The partnership is therefore framed as a "preventive" measure to ensure the significant advantages of the new train service do not introduce the "serious risks" associated with rapid, unregulated development.
Mayor Luis Nobre of Viana do Castelo stated that after three decades of twinning, it is time to give new "density" to the relationship. While cultural exchanges have been a cornerstone of their collaboration, he stressed the need to expand into new domains. These include the economy, the sharing of best practices in managing urban environments, innovation, and the integration of sustainable mobility principles. Nobre also pointed to Lugo's recognized success in the social dimension, highlighting its "differentiated and exemplary social projects" as a potential source of inspiration for other cities within the Eixo Atlântico, particularly in the field of social inclusion.
Mayor Miguel Fernández of Lugo reciprocated the sentiment, stating his intention to "deepen the twinning" between the two "sister cities," which he noted share much in common in terms of history, culture, and identity. He affirmed that both municipalities share a future vision for a city model that is "ecological, green, sustainable, friendly, and welcoming." He called for this collaboration to be pursued with greater frequency and vigor, with a focus on engaging younger generations in the process.
The partnership between Viana do Castelo and Lugo represents a proactive approach to regional planning in the face of major infrastructure investment. By establishing a framework for cooperation before the TGV's full impact is felt, the two cities aim to guide their development in a way that balances economic growth with social and environmental sustainability. The focus is on ensuring that the benefits of enhanced connectivity are distributed equitably and contribute positively to the long-term well-being of their communities.
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