Estoril Parede Carcavelos São Domingos De Rana
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The Sustainability Strategy of Cascais June 2012 The municipality of Cascais is located in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. It is bordered to the west and South by the Atlantic Ocean. It is also bordered to the North by the Sintra mountain range. The Oeiras municipality borders Cascais on the East side. The municipality has six districts: Cascais Alcabideche Estoril Parede Carcavelos São Domingos de Rana 206.000 inhabitants Área 97.100 km Its geographical location, with very different biophysical habitats, creates an unique landscape with white sand beaches and cliffs. The southern slope of the Sintra mountains is predominantly forest with natural scenery and a vast array of biodiversity. This landscape is well protected by a natural park that extends to one third of the municipality’s area. The development of Cascais was linked to its coastal location, privileging fishing and agricultural activities. In 1640, Cascais played an important role in the defense of Lisbon. This reinforced the construction of military fortifications. During the XX century, the municipality became the resort of several European royal houses due to Portugal’s neutral stand in World War II. This reinforced Cascais as a prime region for tourism. Oitavos Golf course In the last 30 years, Lisbon’s competitiveness as the strongest economic region in Portugal helped Cascais to become an important and dynamic economic center. Cascais not only focused on tourism-related activities and services, but also on technology and trade activities. With an extensive cultural heritage from centuries of historic influences, Cascais also has a variety of infrastructures (hotels, golf courses, roads and public transportation) and a wide range of facilities that promote a better quality of life (hospitals and health centers, schools and university, sports and local services). Casa das Histórias Paula Rego Cascais bay Town Hall Among the many responsibilities of territorial management (improving local quality of life and economic growth) the Cascais Council is the entity responsible for implementing policies that promote local sustainability. In 1996 the Mayor signed the Aalborg Commitments, initiating a series of activities to promote Sustainable Development in the region. To coordinate this effort, the Agenda Cascais 21 Office was created. This office, with the close collaboration of the local stakeholders and local community, drives the implementation of actions that promote the principles of Local Agenda 21. With considerable political effort to promote local Sustainable Development, the city council created a thoughtful/comprehensive Sustainability Strategy. This is a critical document for the future of our region. It started with the monitoring of sustainability statistical indicators. These in turn led to the definition of a vision of where we want to go in the next decade. Sustainability Strategy of Cascais Sustainability Strategy of Cascais objectives We need to define the course of action based on where we are and where we want to be. Therefore, defining a vision for the future and the priorities to be acted upon. Actions for Sustainable Development are by mobilizing of local stakeholders and communities. This strategy is, above all, a vision with a relevant context for action, focusing on a shared responsibility for a horizon that extends to 2020. Current status Evaluation Where are we? Are we in the right direction? » » Sustainabilty report Monitoring report Local Sustainability Definition of goals Planning and implementation System Where do we want to go? How? Choose the course of action » » Srategic vision Action plan Commintment for sustainability Starting point » Sustainabilty policy methodology Sustainability Strategy of Cascais “Cascais, is a relevant municipality on an international scale. It is a cooperative, with a modern governance based on a network of mutual trust among stakeholders. The location has a prestigious territorial intelligence that rationalizes the use of its natural landscape and resources. A municipality that takes proper advantage of its geostrategic position. A territory marked by its civil society. All the inhabitants, workers and visitors add a high value on the local quality of life And therefore provides an economic thrust.” Strategic Axis To implement the vision proposed by the strategy and to cover all the essential elements of Sustainable Development, the strategic axis groups together a set of operational measures: AXIS 1. CASCAIS, A TERRITORY WITH URBAN QUALITY OF LIFE AXIS 2. CASCAIS, A TERRITORY OF CREATIVITY, KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION AXIS 3. CASCAIS, A TERRITORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AXIS 4. CASCAIS, A TERRITORY OF SOCIAL COHESION AXIS 5. CASCAIS, A TERRITORY OF ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP Axis 1 Cascais, a territory with urban quality of life Axis 1 Cascais, a territory with urban quality of life 1.1. To promote the territory’s polycentrism and compactness ■ Create a dense and articulate urban network that contains urban sprawl; ■ Structure a multinuclear urban network, overcoming the coastal/hinterland differences; ■ Qualify the urban design and service to the local community’s needs. 1.2. To create quality urban areas ■ Public spaces that prioritize pedestrian needs; ■ Increase comfort in urban leisure and green park areas; ■ Qualification /renovation /upgrading of degraded public urban areas; ■ Planning of an urban infrastructure network. ■ Enhance the public transportation network; ■ Create a cycling and pedestrian network; ■ Promote the intermodal passenger public transportation. 1.3. Promoting territorial connectivity Axis 1 Cascais Masterplan The Cascais territorial Masterplan is currently under a revision process. It will enhance the knowledge about soil use and the human environment. It will have modern planning tools to respond to the contemporary challenges in environmental planning, and also in terms of economic competitiveness. We need to reassure that all urban growth is contained in a denser design in order to promote energy efficiency and the maintenance of natural habitats. Axis 1 “BusCas” bus “BusCas" is an urban bus service that runs an urban circuit inside the village of Cascais. This transport is intended to be an alternative to private vehicles and to facilitate passenger intermodal commuting transit between public and private transport. It has a high frequency (every 10 minutes) and reduced pricing/cost. It is also provides ease of access for people with reduced mobility such as the elderly. Axis 1 Cycling lanes and pedestrian paths Cascais encourages and promotes sustainable mobility with the provision of bike lanes and pedestrian paths along the main roads. With an extension of16km, the bike lanes provide the opportunity to enjoy the advantages of this vehicle (both for commuting and leisure) while enjoying all the beauty of the coastline. Axis 1 BiCas Cascais provides free bicycles for commuting or pleasure. It is intended to encourage the use of public transportation and soft mobility such as walking or by riding a bicycle. The BiCas include a number of electric powered bicycles charged by solar power. This serves the purpose of demonstrating new zero emission technologies. Axis 1 Urban Green Parks In Cascais there are three kinds of Green Parks: Nature Parks, Historical Parks and Urban Parks. They share the promotion of biodiversity values and are also promoted as spaces where people and nature interact as part of the natural heritage of the municipality of Cascais. These spaces are important anchors for the quality of urban life and a healthy urban environment in line with biodiversity and natural heritage. Axis 1 Urban Allotments This project aims to promote sustainable horticulture in the Municipality. The "Community Allotments“ provide spaces for horticulture and gardening. They use less resources than traditional gardens. The scheme also promotes community management in public spaces with inter-generational recreation. The "Home Gardens" project is intended for residents who have a private space and are wishing to acquire skills to create their own allotment with a wide variety of horticultural products. The project "School Gardens" promotes school gardens through the collective work between the teachers, gardeners and students. The seawall was built to prevent coastal erosion Axis 1 The Estoril Seawall and to connect all of the beaches in Cascais bay. Only pedestrians and bicycles are allowed along the 3 km route that also contains numerous terraces and restaurants for leisure and contemplation. Axis 1 Pisão Ecological Farm The Pisão Ecological Farm is located at the foot of the Serra de Sintra in 450 hectares of natural park. This includes the in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, the Natura 2000 network and the UNESCO "world heritage“ area. It aims to safeguard the locality’s natural, cultural and historical heritage. It is an important asset for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, since it is the largest natural public space in the region. Axis 2 Cascais, a territory of creativity, knowledge and innovation Axis 2 Cascais, a territory of creativity, knowledge and innovation 2.1. Promote “coopetition”: cooperating to compete and add territorial intelligence ■ Use and enhance Cascais geopolitical position; ■ Establish new companies and attract professionals, particularly with creative potential; ■ Develop partnerships with universities. ■ Leverage of the economic dynamics to promote excellence in tourism activities; ■ Promotion of cultural and natural landscape; ■ Create cultural tours and events of