Travessa do Monte, in Graça, is now pedestrianized. And in Rua Damasceno Monteiro, next door, a small square with a view of the city was born.
In 2017, the program A Square in Every Neighborhood improved the quality of public space in the Largo da Graça and its surroundings, extending the pedestrian area and taking space away from the car. Another, smaller intervention was completed this year, giving the neighborhood a new square with the pedestrianization of several square meters that belonged to the car.
The work was started at the end of 2020 by the São Vicente Parish Council, with funding from Lisbon City Council, and was completed over the summer. It involved the final stretch of Rua Damasceno Monteiro, which was redesigned with the creation of a square and a coexistence area, and Travessa do Monte, which was completely pedestrianized.
The new Damasceno Monteiro square
Rua Damasceno Monteiro is a long street that runs up from the parish of Arroios, past the Forno do Tijolo market, and ends at the busy Rua da Graça. At the end of the street, as you reach Graça, Rua Damasceno Monteiro meets Calçada do Monte and Travessa do Monte; this is where a small square was created with trees, benches and a beautiful view over the city. The existing tarmac has been reduced to the bare essentials: the end of the street is narrow, with no parking and one-way traffic; there are only two directions of traffic in one part to allow access from Rua da Graça to the downhill section of Calçada do Monte. The uphill section of the Calçada do Monte, which is one-way, meets Rua Damasceno Monteiro via a small coexistence zone, where pedestrians have priority.
It's easy to feel safe walking in this area. The pedestrian crossings are narrow as the width of the roads has generally been reduced. The recently planted trees will still have to grow to provide shade, but there is a cluster of pine trees that has been maintained and offers an excellent view over the city.
The pedestrianized Travessa do Monte
Although the intervention benefited Rua Damasceno Monteiro, the main beneficiary was Travessa do Monte. This street has been completely pedestrianized. Residents, visitors and traders can now use the entire public space to walk or stand without worrying about passing vehicles.
To the PublicAfonso Dias, who is in charge of the Urban Environment department of the São Vicente Parish Council, said that residents - and particularly the elderly - will be able to feel safer in Travessa do Monte because they can now get around without running the risk of being run over. Before the crossing was closed, he explains, it was common for cars and tuk-tuks circulated without a care in the world. The same Público piece reports that the intervention carried out in Travessa do Monte increased noise at night and disrupted the loading and unloading system for traders.
Graça is one of Lisbon's main tourist districts, but it is also a historic neighborhood with an aging population that has known each other for many years.
