Count on the Lisbon Metropolitan Area
It is my conviction, reinforced by 16 years as a member of metropolitan bodies, that the models we have had for dealing with the functioning of metropolises are insufficient.
It is therefore time to make progress that will better serve the municipalities and populations we represent. It's time to work and affirm everything that unites us, which is, fortunately, a lot.
We all know the legislation that governs metropolitan areas, but we also all know that if the legislation and the role of each body is not understood sensibly, we run the risk of becoming inoperable.
The collective experience of the last mandate, marked by constant and careful coordination between the two main AML bodies, must continue. This understanding is essential.
We will continue to work on this coordination between bodies, and between the president of the council and the first secretary. I have no doubt that this will happen.
The 2021-2025 mandate will be about consolidating the measures we have been taking in the area of mobility and transport.
In this sector we need to go even further: start operating under the Carris Metropolitana brand, expand the range of road transport, improve information services for users of the transport system, increase the comfort of those who use public transport, dematerialize the ticketing system and strengthen intermobility.
In this area, we also want to integrate new functionalities and services into Navegante, contribute to identifying priorities and implementing new investments in modes and routes, address logistics and micrologistics with greater concern, flexible and on-demand transport, and soft modes, contribute to legally consolidating the financing of PART and its updating by the central state, stabilize the financial health of TML - Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa, and consider the role of AML in managing new activities and services in this sector.
We will also have to continue the work we have been doing in other important areas.
In the field of climate change, follow up on the recommendations of the Metropolitan Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change, and in particular the development of strategic metropolitan projects.
In the EU funds sector, Portugal 2030 and the AML Pact, the Cohesion Fund, the R.R.P., possible appeals to the EIB, in conjunction with the central state, applications directly to Brussels, other new funding opportunities, and disadvantaged communities (for which we are directly responsible).
In the area of housing, the new and demanding challenges we are facing in the metropolitan area will give us a lot of work: the first right, decent housing, urgent and temporary housing, affordable housing and student housing.
In the sphere of culture, we will continue with the Mural 18 platform, in innovation, we will flesh out the Strategic Innovation Plan for the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, and in sport, we will energize the Sports and Physical Activity Observatory.
We will also continue to promote the meetings of the metropolitan working groups in various areas, and we will be attentive to the possible need to set up others.
We will also have new challenges to respond to. We will do so in due course, after the necessary coordination between everyone, seeking to give greater institutional and public prominence to the Lisbon metropolitan area.
Finding the right solutions in terms of the human resources of our structure and the financing of AML is also a priority.
I would also argue that it is fundamental, and also politically sensitive, to discuss the institutional design of the AML.
Count me in.
Count on the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.
Carlos Humberto de Carvalho
Metropolitan First Secretary