Planning Failures Exacerbate Storm Damage in Portugal

Portugal has recently experienced a series of devastating storms that have resulted in significant destruction, including damaged homes, fallen trees, and flooded streets. The storms have led to over a dozen fatalities and displaced thousands of residents. Experts, including Maria Rosário Partidário, a Professor of Planning, Urbanism, and Environment at the Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon, attribute much of the disaster to longstanding planning failures in urban development.

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Partidário emphasizes that inadequate land-use planning has left cities ill-prepared for extreme weather events. She notes, "There's no room for water," highlighting the lack of permeability in urban areas that exacerbates flooding. The proliferation of precarious construction, driven by an unaffordable property market, has led to substandard building practices. This includes the use of materials that cannot withstand severe weather, as evidenced by the failure of electricity pylons during the recent storms.

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The failure to maintain and monitor critical infrastructure has also been a significant factor. For instance, the dyke on the River Mondego, which burst during heavy rains, was criticized for years of neglect. Jorge Avelar Froes, an agronomist involved in the dyke's original project, pointed out that while the structure remains robust, it requires a thorough assessment to ensure its continued effectiveness.

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Portugal adopted the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in 2007 to evaluate the environmental impacts of public plans, including urban development. However, Partidário argues that many proposed measures to adapt cities to climate risks have not been implemented effectively. She cites Lisbon's General Drainage Plan, initiated in 2016, as an example of a project that emerged only after significant flooding had already occurred.

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Despite some successful initiatives, such as the Várzea Urban Park Retention Basin in Setúbal, which effectively mitigated flooding during recent storms, the overall response to climate change in urban planning remains insufficient. Partidário calls for a shift towards integrating nature into urban environments, advocating for more green spaces and trees to enhance water absorption and improve air quality.

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Critics argue that municipalities often prioritize immediate construction projects over long-term environmental sustainability. Partidário notes that while climate risks are acknowledged in planning, they are frequently sidelined in favor of development. She stresses the need for comprehensive monitoring and maintenance of existing infrastructure to prevent future disasters.

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Looking ahead, Partidário emphasizes the importance of community involvement in urban planning. She advocates for a reimagining of city development that prioritizes environmental protection and public well-being. The integration of preventative measures, such as retention basins and green spaces, is essential for safeguarding cities against the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

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• "Planning failed." — Maria Rosário Partidário, Professor of Planning, Urbanism and Environment

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• "There's no room for water." — Maria Rosário Partidário, Professor of Planning, Urbanism and Environment

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• "Perhaps we also failed to assess the risks in the light of climate change." — Maria Rosário Partidário, Professor of Planning, Urbanism and Environment

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• "It's a natural solution at ground level." — Maria Rosário Partidário, Professor of Planning, Urbanism and Environment

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In conclusion, the recent storms in Portugal have highlighted critical failures in urban planning and infrastructure maintenance, necessitating a comprehensive reevaluation of how cities prepare for and respond to climate change.

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