By PAULO SILVESTRE paulo.silvestre@theresidentgroup.com
Olhão Municipality has put in place a programme for the redevelopment of the historical centre and riverfront areas of the city.
The project was presented on January 13 and improvements will be developed by Olhão Câmara in collaboration with events company Fesnima and the management of Olhão Municipal Markets.
The project, which represents an investment of almost €2 million, consists of five different phases: the refurbishment of emblematic public spaces, art projects in urban public spaces, preparation of a detailed plan for the historical centre, a programme for the modernisation of the municipal markets and the organisation of entertainment events with local partnerships.
A spokesman from Olhão Câmara told the Algarve Resident: “One of the main purposes of this initiative is to improve the degraded urban areas both economically and socially.
“This will be possible with the revamping of the urban landscape so that the city’s beauty can be enhanced.”
Innovation
Five squares in the city will also be the target of improvement works, namely João da Carma, Carolas, Gaibéu, Fábrica Velha and Patrão Joaquim Lopes.
“We intend to provide these areas with innovative features in order to allow for more accessibility and mobility of residents and visitors, therefore improving their quality of life. Each one of the five squares will be a reference to the historical heritage of Olhão, with artworks and exhibitions on show at the sites,” added the spokesman.
The plan is to establish a “squares route”, known as Caminho das Lendas (Path of Legends), intended to boost cultural activity in the city.
A detailed programme to improve the historical centre of the city, an area covering 16 hectares that is home to more than 2,000 inhabitants, is also on the cards.
Municipal markets in the riverfront area will also be part of the redevelopment programme.
“We intend to improve the surrounding areas near the markets and develop a plan to attract more visitors to them,” said the spokesman.
The city’s events company Fesnima is expected to develop a concerted marketing campaign with the media to promote the best the city has to offer entertainment wise.
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