Portekiz's Guimarães kentinde 2027'de ilk nehir plajı açılıyor

Portekiz's historic Guimarães municipality has set the goal of opening the region's first river beach in 2027. Local government officials announced this important development last Friday. According to information reported by Portekiz Haber Ajansı Lusa and also published in Público newspaper, the new area is progressing with an ambitious timeline towards getting its waters. The project represents a major transformation in terms of both environmental rehabilitation and urban planning. This initiative, which was formalized with a signing ceremony attended by the mayor and the Minister of Environment, promises Guimarães residents a new cooling opportunity during the summer months.

The project in question is not just about the construction of a river beach; it also includes the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Ave River. The works will be carried out in an area formed by the junction of the Souto Santa Maria, Souto São Salvador and Gondomar parishes. With this comprehensive intervention, it is aimed to revitalize the river's ecosystem and permanently improve its water quality. Additionally, integrated into this project, the D. Afonso I Garden in the city is planned to be rearranged and modernized. Thanks to this program, which aims to restore urban ecosystems, city residents' access to green areas will be significantly increased and natural life will be supported.

The official signing ceremony of the project was held at the historic Vila Flor Sarayı in Braga ilinde. Guimarães Belediye Başkanı Ricardo Araújo and Portekiz Çevre Bakanı Maria da Graça Carvalho attended the ceremony in person, emphasizing the importance of the project. Çevre Bakanı Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that the Ave River has now reached excellent water quality, underlining this achievement. She stated that as a result of meticulous tests conducted by the Portekiz Çevre Ajansı, it was officially confirmed that the water quality has reached beach level. This official approval symbolizes the rebirth of a river that has struggled with environmental problems for many years.

In past years, the Ave River had faced a severe pollution problem due to the negative effects of industrial facilities operating especially along its banks. However, thanks to years of environmental policies, strict inspections and arıtma investments, the river's condition has improved dramatically. The Minister of Environment reminded that the most fundamental requirement for opening a beach on the riverbank is that the water must be at an excellent level. The river reaching this level proves how critical a step it is to make industrial activities in the region compatible with nature. Thus, a river that was dirty and devoid of life in the past has been transformed into a healthy body of water where the local people can safely cool off today.

The financial aspect of such a large and visionary environmental project has also been planned in great detail. The total cost of rearranging the D. Afonso I Garden is expected to be around four million euros. While a significant portion of this amount will be covered by the municipal budget, support will also be provided by the Portekiz Çevre Fonu. For the construction of the river beach, the Çevre Fonu will provide financial support of half a million euros, and the remaining part will again be financed by the local government. This co-financing model shows the strong belief of both the central government and local governments in an eco-friendly urban transformation.