[Porto 🇵🇹] Inauguration of the URBiNAT Healthy Corridor in the district of Campanhã, Porto

20 February 2024. Porto’s Healthy Corridor is open to the public! The inauguration of the URBiNAT Healthy Corridor in the Campanhã district of Porto took place this morning marking the fruition of nearly 6 years of collaborative efforts involving the community, local authorities, and the URBiNAT project team.

During a walkthrough of the corridor, in presence of local figures including the Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, the Vice Mayor and City Councillor in charge of Innovation and the Environment, Filipe Araujo, URBiNAT project partners and members of the local community there was much focus on the project’s importance to the city’s urban and environmental planning agenda.

The event was not just a formal opening but a tribute to the power of community engagement and participatory urban development. Since the summer of 2018, residents of the Campanhã district have been deeply involved in the co-selection process of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and the co-creation design phases of the Healthy Corridor. This involvement has ensured that the project not only reflects the environmental and infrastructural needs of the area but also resonates with the cultural and social fabric of the community.

The Healthy Corridor itself, now open to the public, can be seen as an example of sustainable urban regeneration, as envisioned by URBiNAT, showing how NBS can transform urban spaces into healthier, greener, and more inclusive environments. The initiative aims to improve air quality, enhance biodiversity and, most importantly, provide the community with recreational and social spaces that promote physical well-being and mental health.

The inauguration event which included a guided tour and community activities also served as an opportunity to discuss future initiatives and reinforcing the commitment of the city and its residents to sustainable urban development. The realisation of the Campanhã URBiNAT Healthy Corridor is a good example of how collaborative planning and community involvement can lead to meaningful and beautiful urban transformations, setting a precedent for future projects in Porto, in other cities across Europe, and beyond.

For more information about the co-creation of the Porto Healthy Corridor visit the Porto page on this website HERE