A public petition against the construction of high-rise buildings in Madeira, proposed as an alternative to the current housing crisis response, gathered more than 300 signatures in under 24 hours.
Organizers aim to reach 1000 signatures for the document to be debated in the Legislative Assembly of Madeira. They advocate for a reflection on the urban development model and the impact of large-scale construction on the regional landscape, arguing that 20 or 30-story buildings could compromise the scenic identity, strain existing infrastructure, and affect residents' quality of life.
The initiative follows a proposal by the President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque, to revise Municipal Master Plans to allow taller buildings in urban expansion zones, such as Ajuda, to increase housing supply and lower prices. This concept is also supported by the Mayor of Funchal and the President of the Order of Architects in Madeira.
