Innovative solutions for Sugar Plant arise from exemplary participatory planning process - Communication

Secretaria Regional das Finanças, Planeamento e Administração Pública

The Regional Secretariat for Finance, Planning and Public Administration and the Azores Regional Section of the Portuguese Architects' Association presented this Thursday the guiding proposal for the intervention and redevelopment of the former sugar factory at the Teatro Micaelense in Ponta Delgada. This proposal is part of a participatory planning process involving the community, the working committee set up for this purpose, and various researchers and experts.

During the session, the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, emphasised that "the significance of SINAGA and the Sugar Plant goes far beyond the physical aspects of their material heritage," as they are "a historical and identity landmark for the Azores."

The government official also highlighted the unprecedented nature of the process, governed by the Cooperation Protocol signed with the Azores Regional Section of the Portuguese Architects' Association, noting that it was "an example of participation and citizenship in public heritage redevelopment," marked by a "participatory, professional and transparent" approach.

Duarte Freitas thanked the Azores Regional Section of the Portuguese Architects' Association and the Working Committee responsible for the report now presented, as well as the experts, researchers and participants in the various public events. He emphasised that the mobilisation seen during the visit and public debate on March 22, 2025, as well as in the public consultation, "are clear signs that we have taken the right path," he stressed.

With the presentation of this guiding document, the Regional Government will move forward in the coming months with the necessary work to launch an innovative tender procedure for the intervention and redevelopment of the Sugar Plant, maintaining coordination with the municipality of Ponta Delgada. The Regional Secretary stated that a single procedure is planned to promote the design, construction and concession of the spaces, without excluding, given the size of the area, other solutions for specific plots.

The aim is to "renovate spaces, livable spaces, useful spaces and true levers of development’ on more than five hectares located in the centre of Ponta Delgada, which will benefit the municipality, the island of São Miguel and the Region.

The report can be consulted at Documents | Sinaga - Architectural Intervention.