In 2013, a large part of Carnide's historic center was redeveloped, with gains in terms of improved pedestrian accessibility and car parking arrangements. Seven years later, this was truly completed with an intervention in Azinhaga das Carmelitas and other arteries in the surrounding area.
Azinhaga das Carmelitas, which forms a small square in front of the well-known Adega das Gravatas restaurant, has seen its pedestrian space significantly widened with the redevelopment of the parking lot. The pedestrian no longer has to do zig-zags to get around stopped cars and can now count on an area of benches and shade. Restaurants, meanwhile, will be able to use the new promenade to extend their terraces. Ample parking has been installed for motorcycles and there are eight spaces for bicycles using four Sheffield-type racks.
The road design of Azinhaga das Carmelitas was revised to allow two-way traffic along its entire length, and a change was made to the wall on arrival at Largo da Luz, which forced vehicles to circulate alternately. There is also now a continuous, wide sidewalk along the entire Azinhaga, protected by bollards in an area where, due to the restaurants, there is often a lot of parking pressure, especially at dinner times.
With these works, the lighting system has also been upgraded, new trees have been planted and new benches have been installed to create new seating areas. In addition to the Azinhaga das Carmelitas, the Travessa do Pregoeirowhich leads to the Teatro de Carnide, as well as the streets General Henrique de Carvalho, das Parreiras, and MestraThe latter are already in the heart of Carnide's historic center.
Carnide's historic center is looking better. All that remains now is to wait for the allotments and projects in the surrounding area to be completed in order to better understand how the new public space will be used and what new dynamics it will gain.
