Urban Park of Cruz do Montalvão

Category: Nature > Park

District: Castelo Branco > Castelo Branco > Castelo Branco > Cruz do Montalvão

Location

The Cruz do Montalvão Urban Park is located in the city of Castelo Branco, situated in the area known as Cruz do Montalvão. Its location grants it a new centrality within the urban fabric, offering a vast green space in a municipality characterized by a hot and dry climate, with no major watercourses or mountains defining the immediate landscape. It is an accessible meeting point, designed to integrate seamlessly into city life.

Conception and Environment

Inaugurated in 2023, this park covers a vast area of approximately 21 hectares, transforming what was once unused land into a leisure and community gathering zone. Its project aimed to create a space that not only promoted the well-being of its visitors but also contributed to the city's adaptation to climate change, introducing new habitats and fostering biodiversity in an urban context. It is an example of how careful planning can enrich the city's landscape.

Integrated Architecture

The park includes support structures with a contemporary design. These buildings feature a volumetric design that dialogues with the lines and directions of the park itself, with large openings that emphasize the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Their wide passages and visual permeability reinforce the idea of an open and inviting space, where architecture merges with the landscape, allowing for continuous traversal and enjoyment of the surrounding environment.

Recognition and Distinctions

The quality and vision behind the Cruz do Montalvão Urban Park have been recognized nationally and internationally. It was awarded the 2nd International City’Scape Award 2023, Landscape as Strategy, in Milan, Italy, and the National Architecture Award "ESPAÇO" in the Public Space category in 2023. These distinctions underscore the park's strategic role in urban and social resilience, highlighting its capacity to create urban ecosystems and foster a sense of community and belonging.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt