Livre Candidate Carina Calisto Proposes '15-Minute City' and Affordable Housing Quotas for Sesimbra
Carina Calisto, the mayoral candidate for the Livre party in Sesimbra, has announced a progressive urban planning and housing policy platform aimed at transforming the municipality. The proposal is centered on the concept of a '15-minute city,' where basic services would be accessible to all residents via walking or cycling. This model is part of a broader strategy to enhance social equity and environmental sustainability in the coastal town, located within the Lisbon metropolitan area.
The candidate, who holds a Master's degree in Social Policy, stated that her administration would prioritize transparency, citizen participation, and social justice. A key objective of her policy is to address the housing crisis in the region. The Livre party's plan for Sesimbra includes a proposal to significantly increase the stock of public housing. Furthermore, the platform calls for the creation of new rent support programs designed to assist local families struggling with the high cost of living.
In a move targeting the real estate development sector, Calisto's proposal includes the imposition of mandatory affordable housing quotas on all new urban development projects. This measure aims to ensure that new constructions contribute to solving the housing shortage for local residents rather than exacerbating it. The plan also involves a strategic limitation on unregulated short-term tourist rentals, or 'alojamento local,' which have been identified as a major factor driving up property prices and rents, displacing the local population.
To support these housing initiatives, the candidate has proposed the establishment of a Municipal Housing Observatory. This body would be tasked with continuously monitoring real estate prices, identifying vacant or derelict properties that could be brought into the housing market, and providing data-driven recommendations for public policy. The overarching principle, according to Calisto, is that 'housing is a right, not a privilege.' This vision is encapsulated in Livre's '3C's' slogan: Casa (House), Conforto (Comfort), and Clima (Climate), which links the right to a dignified home with the need for energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings.
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The urban development strategy also includes a strong focus on environmental preservation. Calisto has pledged to reinforce environmental oversight and to suspend the licensing of large-scale tourism projects that are deemed a threat to Sesimbra's coastline. A comprehensive review of the Municipal Master Plan (Plano Diretor Municipal) is also on the agenda, with the stated goal of placing community needs and environmental protection at the core of all land-use decisions. The emphasis will be on rehabilitating and consolidating existing urban zones rather than promoting uncontrolled expansion into natural or rural areas.
Mobility is another critical component of the '15-minute city' concept. The plan outlines significant improvements to the public transportation network, including more frequent bus services with extended nighttime schedules, and a more effective integration with the regional train system. For areas with lower population density, an on-demand transport service is proposed. The infrastructure plan also includes the development of a comprehensive network of safe bicycle lanes and universally accessible sidewalks. To encourage the shift away from private vehicles, the platform suggests offering free public transportation to individuals under 25, seniors over 65, and citizens in officially recognized vulnerable situations.
Calisto, an activist for disability rights, also emphasized that universal accessibility would be a non-negotiable standard for all new and renovated public infrastructure. This commitment extends from physical access to buildings and transport to ensuring that municipal communications are available in formats accessible to all, including Braille and Portuguese Sign Language. A new municipal inclusion office would be created to oversee these efforts and work directly with the community to remove existing barriers.
The candidate expressed a willingness to cooperate with other political parties, particularly those on the left, to achieve these objectives. However, she maintained that any political alliances would not compromise the core principles of her platform. The proposed policies signal a potential shift in Sesimbra's approach to urban development, housing, and tourism, with significant implications for the local real estate market and investment landscape. Understand policy impacts on your Portugal property plans at realestate-lisbon.com.