Left Bloc Revives Push for Alto de Colaride Urban Park in Sintra
Political candidates from the Bloco de Esquerda (BE) party in Sintra conducted a site visit this Saturday to the Alto de Colaride, renewing calls for the creation of a protected urban park in the area. The visit aimed to draw attention to what the party describes as the "state of abandonment" of the 80-hectare green space, citing the degradation of historical structures and the illegal dumping of waste. The proposal, which has been debated for three decades, seeks to protect the area's significant natural, archaeological, and landscape assets.
The Alto de Colaride spans several densely populated parishes within the Sintra municipality, including Agualva, Mira Sintra, Massamá, Monte Abraão, and Belas, and also borders the areas of Cacém and São Marcos. The region contains a rich tapestry of history, with documented evidence of Roman and medieval occupation. Among its features are old quarries, traditional water catchment systems, caves, and rock formations that have been identified as having geological importance. The local ecosystem, home to various species of fauna and flora, is currently under threat from advancing urban development, a concern that has been repeatedly voiced by local community groups and environmental advocates.
During the visit, BE representatives lamented the lack of progress on the park's creation despite years of advocacy and political promises. The party noted that the Sintra Municipal Council had previously launched a competition of ideas for the park's development. However, subsequent commitments from different political administrations, including those led by Marco Almeida and Fernando Seara of the PSD, as well as the Socialist Party (PS) in later years, failed to materialize into a concrete project. This long history of inaction has been a source of frustration for local residents who have long campaigned for the formal protection and development of the area for public use.
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The Bloco de Esquerda's vision for the Alto de Colaride is to integrate it into a larger network of green spaces, creating a significant "pulmão verde" (green lung) for the municipality of Sintra. Such a park would serve multiple functions, including contributing to carbon capture efforts, preserving habitats for local bird and botanical species, and providing a much-needed public space for recreation. The party envisions an area equipped for walking, sports, and outdoor cultural events, which would enhance the quality of life for the surrounding communities. A spokesperson for the party emphasized that the project is about both environmental protection and social return, stating that transforming the hillside would "protect biodiversity and, simultaneously, return a quality space to the populations."
The debate over the future of Alto de Colaride is taking place against the backdrop of the upcoming local elections, where issues of urban planning, public space, and environmental management are key topics of discussion. The BE's renewed focus on the issue places pressure on incumbent and rival parties to present their own definitive plans for the long-neglected green space. The outcome of this political debate could determine whether the area is finally developed for public benefit or continues to face degradation from neglect and urban encroachment. The proposal underscores a broader conversation in the Lisbon metropolitan area about balancing development with the preservation of natural and historical heritage. For now, the future of the Alto de Colaride remains a central point of contention in Sintra's local politics. Discover emerging areas and local opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.