The Artur Lamas alley lies on the border between the parishes of Belém and Alcântara, serving as the focal point for a small, nameless neighbourhood spanning two blocks. Dozens of people, encompassing various age groups, reside here, yet there is no designated outdoor space for socializing. The area lacks trees or benches, hosting only a consistent lineup of parked cars and a strong community spirit.
Now, a group of residents has come together with a common idea: to repurpose an alley in the heart of the neighbourhood into a space for gatherings, conversations, and neighbourly relaxation.
Approximately twenty residents have pinpointed the Artur Lamas Alley as the ideal location for collaboratively establishing a communal space. They have drafted a petition and are working to collect the 150 signatures necessary to present the proposal to the Lisbon Municipal Assembly.
A “grey area” between parishes
The neighbourhood is in “a grey area, a border – a sort of Bermuda Triangle”, according to Luísa Baltazar. She has previously lived in Campo de Ourique and the North American city of San Francisco, recalling a common feature of these two places: both had nearby spaces for neighbours to meet, play, and leisurely engage, catering to both young and old.
In fact, it was in Campo de Ourique that the concept of the first superblock was tested, designed to foster neighbourly connections.
Today, it is asking the same for its new neighbourhood.
The Alley of Travessa Artur Lamas was chosen for being in the center of the life of this small neighbourhood delimited by the geometry of the urban fabric – to the north, by buildings of Lusíada University, to the west, by two schools, to the east by Calçada da Boa Hora, and to the south, by Rua da Junqueira.
Raquel Bastardo, another supporter of the proposal, believes that because this neighbourhood is between two parishes, it ends up being “a forgotten, bordering area”, but “that’s why this space is so necessary.”
Among the parked cars in the alley, there is little or no space left for the circulation and stay of neighbours. Photo: Líbia Florentino
On the left, the neighbourhood (in colour) and the Alley of Travessa Artur Lamas (in green) stand out in Belém, which the group of residents wants to transform into a space for socializing and meeting among neighbours. Source: Google Earth
What is missing in this neighbourhood?
Trees or green areas:
“This neighbourhood consists of two blocks, but it ends up being a space where many people live, yet there is no meeting space, no square with trees, nothing”, explains resident Raquel. The thermal discomfort due to the lack of a green space is felt on the streets of the neighbourhood on sunny and hot days.
This effect – the urban heat island – occurs with particular intensity in this area of the city and is mitigated by the creation of shade and the presence of vegetation cover. Currently, the only eight trees in the neighbourhood are in a parking lot and provide no shade or relief from the sun for the neighbours – only for the cars.
On foot, the nearest green space is about half a kilometre away, at Praceta Diogo Cão, in the parish of Alcântara, and already outside the neighbourhood perimeter. In response to the demand, they sometimes hear, “the river is just a five-minute walk away”, says Raquel Bastardo. However, this breaks the logic of neighbourhood and proximity to the neighbourhood. To reach the river, one has to “cross Rua da Junqueira and climb a pedestrian bridge. For people with reduced mobility, it’s not easy – it’s not the same thing”.
See the map that shows the green spaces near the alley: right next to it, a private garden of an abandoned palace; then, half a kilometre away, at Praceta Diogo Cão, the nearest public garden.
Benches and socializing areas (public):
Despite the lack of meeting spaces and the small size of the neighbourhood, a very active spirit and sense of community have been emerging. In the local WhatsApp group, with over 180 members, discussions revolve around issues like improper parking on sidewalks and dog waste on the streets – common topics in neighbourly conversations in the city.
Here, the few cafes also serve as a forum for residents to chat, but there is a lack of a public space that serves the community and does not depend on consumption at a particular terrace.
“We don’t even need to justify the need – this cluster of civic and community strength in the neighbourhood already exists. It doesn’t make sense for it to be dependent on a commercial establishment”, says Luísa Baltazar, another resident.
Less cars:
They want a place with benches and trees, free from road hazards, and car manoeuvres. Currently, this alley serves as a parking lot for about a dozen cars.
If the proposal receives approval from the Parish Council, the proponents do not fear a potential wave of protest against the impossibility of the alley continuing to serve as a car park. Currently, cars park there, occupying the sidewalks and hindering the passage and stay of people.
“It’s not those ten spots that will complicate the parking problem – the problem already exists,” emphasizes Luísa.
And “parking is not legal”, adds Mariana Pereira. “Cars park on the sidewalk and block the passage for those walking on Pinto Ferreira. I have to go onto the road with a baby stroller.”
The fight that was born out of an experience on a Neighbour Day
But the conversation among these neighbours doesn’t stop here.
They exchange furniture, request tips on local services and businesses, and even before the pandemic, they began trying to revive the spirit of unity and socializing from other times when they organized parties during the popular saints’ festivities and the Magusto, in Travessa Artur Lamas.
The revival of this neighbourhood spirit has been responsible for energizing events in the street, with the support of the parish councils of Belém and Alcântara.
In 2019, the first step toward the current proposal for creating a public socializing space took place: with the support of the Belém Parish Council and on Neighbour’s Day, cars were removed from the alley, and neighbours gathered. Residents brought plastic tables and chairs, a grill, and a sound system, and the alley filled up during the day and night. Movies were projected on the high wall where the alley ends.
In 2018, 2022, and 2023, it was the turn of Travessa Artur Lamas to be closed to organise community gatherings.
The idea of making the temporary permanent fermented in the neighbours’ imagination, and they began to take action. One day, as Mariana Pereira recounts, they placed flower pots in a corner of the alley. “We inscribed the phrase ‘Voters want flowers’ on the wall.” “The idea began to form that we could have plants here and a socializing space for everyone.”
Meanwhile, the flowers disappeared, but the idea continued to grow.
On the next Neighbour’s Day, with the celebration scheduled for May 24, the proponents want to stage another rehearsal for the pedestrianization of the Alley of Travessa Artur Lamas, taking advantage of the opening of the Belém Parish Council, as has happened before. The local executive plans to support residents interested in organizing neighbourly gatherings.
If the event takes place, as the group of residents hopes, this day will be another way to summon the local community around the collective construction of a space for the neighbourhood.
Finding neighbours taking the initiative in building public spaces for collective enjoyment is not a novelty in Lisbon. In February 2021, Mensagem told the story of two neighbours near Campo dos Mártires da Pátria who transformed a street, constructing and placing flowerbeds in spaces that were previously occupied by cars.
Bringing the proposal to the Parish Council and the city
The realization of the neighbours’ vision doesn’t require much, the proponents assure. Some trees, plants, and benches for seating.
“It is the responsibility of the Belém Parish Council to provide the conditions for citizens to meet”, says Luísa Baltazar. Mensagem contacted the Parish Council to report its openness to receiving this proposal, and as of now, there has been no response from the local executive – this article will be updated as soon as the responses arrive.
The proponents and residents of the neighbourhood wanted to start with a petition to have a “legal basis” to support the proposal and show that it gathers strength among the residents of the neighbourhood and the city.
In the coming days, the group plans to organize actions to distribute posters throughout the neighbourhood and collect signatures, aiming to reach the older residents of the neighbourhood as well.
If they achieve their goal in the coming days, the group of neighbours intends to be present at the Belém Parish Council meeting, scheduled for the end of February, to present and discuss the proposal with the local executive.
Frederico Raposo
Nasceu em Lisboa, há 32 anos, mas sempre fez a sua vida à porta da cidade. Raramente lá entrava. Foi quando iniciou a faculdade que começou a viver Lisboa. É uma cidade ainda por concretizar. Mais ou menos como as outras. Sustentável, progressista, com espaço e oportunidade para todas as pessoas – são ideias que moldam o seu passo pelas ruas. A forma como se desloca – quase sempre de bicicleta –, o uso que dá aos espaços, o jornalismo que produz.
✉ frederico.raposo@amensagem.pt
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