Azores Government Declares 'Ecovia do Norte' a Project of Relevant Public Interest
The Government of the Azores has officially recognized the 'Ecovia do Norte' project in Ponta Delgada as an 'action of relevant public interest,' according to a joint dispatch published this Thursday in the Official Journal. The declaration, signed by the regional secretariats for Agriculture and Food and for Environment and Climate Action, paves the way for the development of the first dedicated eco-path in the archipelago, a significant infrastructure project for the island of São Miguel.
The project is being spearheaded by the Câmara Municipal de Ponta Delgada, which plans a substantial requalification of existing paths along the island's northern coast. The scope of the work includes creating safer conditions for users, rectifying existing structural issues, and establishing a cohesive identity for the entire route. This will involve the installation of new urban equipment and signage, with a focus on using materials such as wood, basalt stone, steel, and concrete that are both durable and aesthetically integrated with the natural landscape.
The intervention will cover the coastal section between the parishes of Capelas and Fenais da Luz. Specific sites targeted for upgrades include the Miradouro dos Fenais, the Parque da Luz, Alto da Pedreira, and the Buraco de São Pedro. The government's official statement describes the Ecovia do Norte as 'a more-valia (great asset) for the island of São Miguel and another milestone of sustainability for the Região Autónoma dos Açores.' The project is seen as a critical tool for environmental management and heritage promotion, following a model already successful in mainland Portugal.
The official dispatch emphasizes that the project will serve as 'a means to auxiliary the safeguard of the orla costeira (coastline), requalify deficient or inexistent public spaces, as well as the caminhos and trilhos pedestres (pedestrian paths and trails).' A key objective is to enhance safety in several identified high-traffic points along the coast. The government acknowledges that these sensitive landscapes and ecosystems must be preserved and managed to allow for regulated and controlled enjoyment by the public.
The Regional Government, a coalition of PSD/CDS-PP/PPM, stated that the project 'surge como um alerta para a necessidade de preservar e de criar condições de segurança para zonas que, com ou sem intervenção, continuarão a ser usadas e percorridas, cada vez mais, por residentes e turistas.' This reflects a proactive stance on managing the increasing flow of both local users and tourists to the island's natural attractions. The project's development was also spurred by strong public support, having originated from a winning proposal in the Orçamento Participativo (Participatory Budget), indicating a grassroots demand for such an initiative.
Despite the high-level endorsement, the project must adhere to strict regulatory conditions. The 'relevante interesse público' declaration does not bypass legal requirements. Any interventions affecting watercourses will require prior licensing from water resource authorities. Furthermore, the project must incorporate recommendations from the Laboratório Regional de Engenharia Civil and submit a detailed landscape architecture plan for approval by the competent nature conservation body. These measures are intended to ensure the project's development is environmentally responsible and technically sound.
The formal recognition of the Ecovia do Norte signals a clear government commitment to investing in sustainable infrastructure that enhances both the quality of life for residents and the attractiveness of the Azores as a premier eco-tourism destination. This type of public investment is often a precursor to increased private sector interest and can have a positive impact on local property markets and related service industries.
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