Urban rehabilitation societies: The Portuguese case, characteristics and potential

Urban rehabilitation societies (SRUs) constitute a new urban regeneration stream in Portugal, relying on public enterprise models to pursue the mission of revitalising historic and critical areas of cities. This model for promoting urban regeneration is very recent — the legal framework dates from May 2004; therefore, the actuation of these societies should be accompanied by the monitoring of their potential, methodologies, and legislative and procedural framework. Until recently, there have been no comparative studies regarding the actuation of these societies, particularly concerning the adjustment of their own legal framework. This justified the development of a research project recently initiated in the Laboratory of Landscape, Urban and Territorial Planning of the TU of Lisbon, financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. The study maintains independent observation of SRUs in the process of constitution and beginning activity in Portugal, taking as case studies some of the first societies created and those that present the most advanced results. The expected results will be reported to the government, proposing adjustment of the legal framework, and to these societies, suggesting the introduction of changes in their practice.