On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 25, the Special Projects Management Unit (UGPE) conducted a technical visit to the urban and environmental revitalization works in the São Sebastião neighborhood of Cidade Velha, as part of the Resilient Tourism and Blue Economy Development Project.

The purpose of the visit was to assess the current status of the project, analyze the projected timeline for completion, and review issues related to the design of the new Misericórdia Complex, within the context of additional funding.

The visit was attended by the Project Manager at UGPE, Vladimir Fonseca; representatives from the World Bank; the Mayor of Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Nelson Moreira; the Institute of Cultural Heritage (IPC), represented by its President, Ana Samira Baessa; the contractor; and the construction supervisor.

Following the site visit, a technical presentation of the redevelopment project was given by architect Adalberto Tavares of the IPC, which provided details on the main components of the project and the planned solutions for the area.

Funded by the World Bank, the project includes a pedestrian connection between Largo da Catedral and the Misericórdia area, with the aim of improving accessibility and pedestrian mobility, creating spaces for leisure and community interaction, and contributing to the enhancement of the historical heritage of Cidade Velha.

The project is part of a broader strategy for the urban renewal and tourism development of Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aimed at promoting heritage preservation while simultaneously improving the conditions under which these spaces are used by the local community and visitors.