In a statement, the Valença City Council (in the Viana do Castelo district) explains that the document outlines a vision "for the city's transformation over the coming decade," defining a series of structural interventions aimed at "revitalising key public spaces and creating a new urban hub."

Furthermore, the plan aims to "improve the population's quality of life, boost the city's appeal, and drive economic, social, and tourism development."

According to the municipality, the plan covers the entire city center, extending from the former Colégio Português to the Municipal Garden, the Fairgrounds (Campo da Feira), the Municipal Market, the Old Customs House, and the riverfront, all the way to Senhora da Cabeça.

"The proposal seeks to strengthen the connections between these iconic spaces, balancing the preservation of historical heritage with new cultural, economic, and leisure functions," the statement describes.

The council highlights the creation of a new urban axis linking the Valença Intercultural Forum, the Municipal Market, and the Fairgrounds as one of the "key new features," effectively "establishing this area as the city's new heart."

The market is set to undergo "extensive renovation and be transformed into a modern, multifunctional auditorium."

The goal is for the facility to become a "landmark venue for hosting cultural, social, and economic events, closely integrated with the Fairgrounds and the surrounding public spaces."

The document also provides for a Railway Museum and a hotel facility, “strengthening Valença’s capacity to attract visitors, investment, and new economic dynamics.”

Another “key structural intervention” involves the redevelopment of the Old Customs House into the future Cultural Customs House—a “multidisciplinary facility dedicated to culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, and the promotion of the Camino de Santiago.”

It is also intended to serve “as an interpretive centre for intangible heritage and a space for project incubation.”

The plan also addresses mobility and the quality of public space, the municipality notes, specifically by creating a key pedestrian route connecting the town centre, the border, and the riverfront.

The municipality’s plans include the construction of an underground parking lot, “making it possible to reduce the presence of cars near the Fortress and free up space for people, thereby enhancing the urban and heritage landscape.”

“It is a fundamental tool for Valença’s future. We want a city that is more cohesive, modern, sustainable, competitive, and people-friendly,” states Mayor José Manuel Carpinteira, as quoted in the press release.