Regional Government opens Porto Pim Infrastructure Complex Redevelopment project
Horta
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, and the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, opened on Tuesday the redevelopment project for the Porto Pim Infrastructure Complex in the city of Horta, Faial Island, following damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo.
The government official specified that the intervention "provided for the reconstruction of the defence wall along the coastline, which was severely damaged as a result of the storm, thus ensuring the necessary safety conditions for traffic on the section between Porto Pim beach and the aquarium facilities, while also guaranteeing an appropriate landscape setting."
“The changing rooms and sanitary facilities at Porto Pim Beach were also completely refurbished, with significant exterior improvements, creating facilities that provide comfort to users and due dignity to this beach, which is an icon of Faial and the Azores. It is also part of a protected area within the Faial Island Nature Park,” he explained.
He continued: “Finally, it also led to the refurbishment of the Porto Pim Aquarium facilities, with a wide range of repairs to roofs, interior and exterior walls, floors and entranceways, furniture and electromechanical equipment. These were very important for reactivating the normal functioning of the aquarium, with the appropriate functionality and safety conditions for visitors and those working here.”
The Regional Secretary responsible for the Environment highlighted the importance of completing this project, stating that "firstly, it demonstrates the Region's ability to respond in terms of restoring and refurbishing a substantial part of the affected property following this extreme weather event that devastated the island of Faial, leaving a huge trail of destruction and threatening the safety of people and property. And so, in the face of a serious, unexpected and sudden constraint, there was a firm and adequate response."
“This intervention also represents an important improvement to Porto Pim Bay. It is a key feature of the landscape of Horta, relevant to the lives of the people of Faial and those visiting us, as a recreational and tourist spot with significant historical, cultural and natural value. As such, it is a fundamental part of local and regional development,” he continued.
According to the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, "this intervention is, above all, a testament to the power of nature, which invites us to reflect on the importance of properly planning for the future, in a new reality marked by climate change, which leads to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events." He added that "the impact of climate change on the islands will be mitigated by our ability to prepare and adapt to this new reality."
He continued: "In this scenario, it is important to contribute to climate change mitigation by making an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are doing so by complying with the wide range of measures set out in the Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality in the Azores. However, it is essential to create the necessary conditions for the Region to be able to properly adapt to the effects of this phenomenon, reducing exposure to natural hazards and increasing the conditions of resilience, protection and safety of people and property.”
The government official emphasised that "it is important to bear in mind that, in the context of adapting to climate change effects, interventions such as the one opened today, or other interventions to defend and protect the coastline, such as those already carried out here in Faial, namely the coastal protection of Pasteleiro, or the intervention being planned for the Porto Pim area, are last resort interventions.”
"Firstly, there is a whole set of planning, land use and prevention measures that must be implemented to reduce the risks to which populations are exposed," he continued.
Alonso Miguel concluded by stating that this has been a major priority for the Regional Government, with the implementation of the measures set out in the Azores Regional Climate Change Programme, the amendment to Coastal Zone Management Plans, the development of mapping and risk management plans, and the development of natural hazard warning systems, among many other initiatives.
In turn, the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, noted that "this intervention is mainly intended to enhance the heritage, landscape, sea and resources that define emblematic sites and the identity of the Azorean people."
The government official stated that the project "also places special emphasis on nature tourism, with improvements to visitor areas and tourist resources, aligned with the sustainable tourism strategy."
"I would also like to convey a message regarding the collective pride we should have in our public works, given the various interventions being carried out across all islands, particularly on Faial Island, where a large volume of investment is underway in various projects, namely the Horta bypass, the largest project ever undertaken on the island's road network," stated the government official.
In addition to this works to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo, it is also important to mention the intervention at the Manuel de Arriaga School, the Martec technopole, the investments in housing, and the much-needed intervention at the Horta Hospital.
Berta Cabral emphasised that "it is important to stress that these investments and all decisions at this level must follow a sequence of priorities."
“The implementation of the RRP is the current priority, as it is essential to meet deadlines and seize the financial resources available, not least because this may be the last opportunity to co-finance roads through EU funds,” she said.
