Polis project had little impact on Coimbra's historical center so far

According to the stakeholders I interviewed, the Polis project has had little impact on the historic center, although some conceded that the project highlighted the need to connect the river to the city’s historic core. Given the river's role in the history of Coimbra, and the historical connection between the river and the city, the stakeholders were asked to assess the project's impact on the historical center.

The river is still fragmented from the Alta and the Baxia areas as well as the Botanical Gardens, without a clear pedestrian or public transit connection. The riverfront along the train station, for example, is starkly separated from the river despite the close proximity. Some downtown goers might park their car at the Parque Verde parking lot and walk to their destination, but it is a good 15-20 minutes’ walk from the said parking lot to Largo de Portagem. The Botanical Gardens is situated just upslope from Parque Verde, but there is no direct access through the gardens, and pedestrians have to walk around the garden (about 30-45 minutes) to access the river.

Close-up of Coimbra with walking routes, approximate course of Rio Ribela

The downtown/Baixa area underwent depopulation as more affordable housing options became available in the mid 20th century, some say as a result of the central government plan by Etienne de Gröer that called for lower densities over an expanded urban area. One stakeholder maintained that the Baixa still appears depopulated and neglected with businesses facing competition from modern shopping malls in the outskirts of the historic center.

Rehabilitation efforts are underway but face difficult challenges. New leisure areas such as Parque Verde and mega shopping malls in the outer suburbs detract from the commercial areas between Praça 8 de Maio in the north to Largo de Portagem in the south, along rua Visconde da Luz and rua Ferreira Borges. Old structures are difficult to renovate, and incentive programs lack sustained funding. For example, municipal cost-sharing partnerships are available for property owners, providing the latter with infrastructural updates (e.g. electricity, gas, internet, etc) and technical and design support, but funding comes from the central government and is dwindling every year. However, the creation of Parque Verde by the Polis program has not played a significant role in these rehabilitation efforts, according to the stakeholders interviewed.