Sintra Mayoral Candidate Marco Almeida Announces Plan to Build More Housing and Partner with Cooperatives
Marco Almeida, a candidate for the presidency of the Sintra Municipal Council representing the PSD/IL/PAN coalition, has announced a series of policy priorities ahead of the October 12th elections, with a significant focus on tackling the municipality's housing shortage. Citing what he describes as 12 years of neglect under the current socialist administration, Almeida has committed to a program of new construction and innovative partnerships to increase the availability of housing in the region. His proposals come at a time when housing affordability and urban degradation are central concerns for the nearly 400,000 residents of the municipality, which includes popular areas for foreign investment and expat communities such as Cascais and Estoril's neighboring parishes.
In a formal declaration of his candidacy, Almeida detailed the issues his administration would seek to resolve, pointing to a visible decline in public services and infrastructure. “In the last 12 years, the socialist management has left Sintra behind,” he stated. “Unfortunately, it is the people of Sintra who say this, and no one can deny it. Dirty streets, accumulated garbage, degraded roads, abandoned parking lots, lack of housing, unresponsive transport, and schools and health centers in precarious conditions.” His campaign is built on the promise that “from October, everything will change,” outlining a clear agenda for urban and social renewal that directly addresses these stated failures.
The central pillar of Almeida's platform concerning the property market is a direct commitment to increase the housing supply. “We will build more housing,” he announced, a straightforward pledge aimed at alleviating pressure in a market characterized by high demand. This initiative would be complemented by a policy of actively seeking “partnerships with housing cooperatives.” This particular strategy indicates a potential shift in municipal housing policy, moving beyond traditional development models to embrace community-led and potentially more affordable housing solutions. Such a policy could alter the development landscape in Sintra, creating new opportunities for different types of residential projects and financing structures. The plan also includes the rehabilitation of abandoned heritage properties, which could bring a number of historic buildings back into use as residential units, preserving local character while addressing modern needs.
Almeida's political history includes serving as a councilor and vice-president of the Sintra Municipal Council in 2001, and he draws on this experience to lend credibility to his promises. His professional and civic background is deeply rooted in the municipality, having founded a local scout group and served as president of the Sintra delegation of the Portuguese Red Cross. He presents himself as a candidate with intimate knowledge of the local population's needs. “I have always been on the side of the people and I know what the people of Sintra need,” he affirmed, positioning his campaign as a direct response to resident dissatisfaction.
The candidate’s agenda is not limited to housing. He also outlined plans to improve essential public services, including reinforcing garbage collection routes and ensuring public transport systems function more effectively. Public safety is another key area of focus, with Almeida promising to invest in “more security, more video surveillance, and public lighting.” These proposed improvements to the urban environment are designed to enhance the quality of life for residents and could, in turn, positively influence property values and the overall attractiveness of the municipality for both domestic and international residents.
The announcement from Marco Almeida introduces a set of specific, actionable proposals into the Sintra electoral debate. His focus on increasing the housing supply through both new construction and cooperative partnerships, coupled with a broader plan for urban regeneration, presents a clear vision for the future of the municipality. As the election approaches, these policies will be closely watched by the real estate sector, investors, and residents, who will be evaluating the potential impact of a change in leadership on one of Portugal's largest and most important municipalities. The outcome of the election could signal a new direction for housing and development policy in the Lisbon metropolitan area.
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