Speaking before the Municipal Assembly’s 3rd Permanent Committee, Almeida addressed a proposal – already approved by the City Council on 18 December 2024 – to suspend building credits under the category of “parking deficits”. This measure, proposed by Livre, passed with votes from PS, Livre, PCP, Citizens for Lisbon, and Bloco da Esquerda, while the PSD/CDS-PP leadership voted against it.

The policy change affects the Municipal Regulation on Incentives for Urban Operations of Municipal Interest, in place since 2013. Under this system, urban developments that provide public interest benefits – such as affordable housing, heritage restoration, or extra resident parking in areas lacking it – are eligible for building credits.

Revisions to the regulation began in 2022 and have already removed credits linked to energy efficiency and bioclimatic design, arguing such features should be standard.

Almeida presented a list of Lisbon districts facing parking deficit, including Ajuda, Alvalade, Arroios, Bairro Alto, Baixa, Benfica, Estrela, Campo do Ourique, Campolide, Carnide Sul, Monsanto, Olivais, São Domingos de Benfica, and São Vicente. She cited successful parking-related projects in Carnide and Graça, criticising the opposition’s decision to eliminate these incentives without technical justification.

“We voted against the irresponsibility of this proposal. There’s no concern for residents’ parking needs – just political posturing,” she said.

Livre’s proposal argues that incentivising additional parking promotes excessive construction and increased car dependency, running counter to Lisbon’s sustainable mobility and carbon neutrality goals for 2030. It calls for a broader suspension of building credits for outdated or counterproductive solutions.

The proposal will now move to the Municipal Assembly for further discussion and a final vote.