Lisbon City Council Faces Backlash Over Controversial Jacaranda Removal Project

Lisbon City Council Holds Public Session Amid Controversy

The Lisbon City Council is set to hold a technical session this Wednesday to clarify the urban project in Entrecampos, following significant public backlash regarding the removal of jacarandas on Avenida 5 de Outubro for the construction of an underground parking lot.

Originally, the council announced two public sessions scheduled for March 28 and April 2, but the first session was canceled due to overwhelming interest from participants, leading to a single session at the Fórum Lisboa on Avenida de Roma.

According to the council's website, a public session for presentation and clarification is confirmed for this Wednesday at 6:30 PM at Fórum Lisboa, featuring the presence of Urbanism Councillor Joana Almeida and municipal directors of Urbanism and Environment, Green Structure, Climate, and Energy.

Registration and Public Sentiment

Entry to the session is subject to prior registration, which was closed by Tuesday due to reaching the maximum number of participants.

The plan to construct an underground parking facility on the former Feira Popular grounds has sparked protests from residents and opposition parties, as it involves the removal of dozens of jacarandas. A petition titled “No to the Removal of Jacarandas on Av. 5 de Outubro”, launched on March 21 (Tree Day), has gathered over 53,900 signatures as of Tuesday.

The City Council states that there are 75 jacarandas along Avenida 5 de Outubro, with 30 to be preserved, 20 to be transplanted (along with two plane trees), and 25 to be removed. Additionally, 39 jacarandas will be replanted along with 49 other trees. The council, led by Carlos Moedas (PSD), assures that 200 more jacarandas will be planted in various city locations. However, Nuno Prates, one of the petition's initiators, expressed concerns that the last-minute planting commitment is unrelated to the announced transplantation and removal of trees.