Lisbon's Jacarandas vs. Évora's Silence: A Call for Green Spaces

A Battle for Green Spaces in Lisbon

This week, I bring a different yet significant topic to my opinion column. In Lisbon, the jacarandas of Avenida 5 de Outubro have become a symbol of a city in conflict between greenery and concrete. The promise of a parking lot has led to the cutting down of dozens of trees; however, the public response was clear. Over fifty thousand people signed a petition in defense of these lilac crowns that, year after year, beautify the city and provide shade.

Not only did the trees fall, but so did the idea that decisions regarding public spaces can be made without consulting the citizens. Today, trees are no longer seen as obstacles to progress, but as an essential part of it. As a city planner in Lisbon stated: "we lack trees to avoid baking in the sun."

The Silence in Évora

But what about Évora? In Évora, trees are cut down... and often not replaced. The tree stumps rot in the landscape, and public spaces lose their life. There is no coherent landscaping plan—except for the weeds that grow freely. We are two years away from being the European Capital of Culture.

Évora 2027 should be an opportunity to turn the page. To replant, redesign, and enhance public spaces. Yet so far, we see little more than patches and intentions.

The Contrast

Lisbon may err on the side of excess, but Évora errs through its silence. If our city resigns itself to grey, it loses more than just trees—it loses ambition.

That’s why I advocate for a comprehensive landscaping plan for Évora. Not just to revitalize what is worn out, but to create new green spaces designed for people, families, and community life. Cities are not made of empty streets and cut trees. They are made of shade, meetings, and places that invite you to stay.

Well-designed community spaces are not a luxury—they are an investment in health, social cohesion, and the future.

A Vision for 2027

What kind of city do we want to present to the world in 2027? We still have time to reverse this course, with fewer words, more will, and more trees.

Until next week.