A public petition against high-rise construction in Madeira has now passed 1,000 signatures, which means it can be considered by the Legislative Assembly of Madeira. The campaign was launched after proposals emerged suggesting that taller residential buildings could help ease the Region’s housing shortage. Its organisers say the aim is to open a broader discussion about Madeira’s urban future and the effect that large-scale building could have on the island’s landscape and quality of life. The petition rejects buildings of 20, 30 or more storeys, warning that they would damage Madeira’s distinctive scenery, increase pressure on infrastructure and worsen living conditions. The organisers argue that the housing crisis should not be solved through what they call the spread of “concrete monsters,” and say the island’s identity is at stake. Their position comes as the Regional Government and local authorities look for ways to boost housing supply amid rising property prices and limited availability. During last week’s Autonomy Conferences, Miguel Albuquerque proposed changing Municipal Master Plans (PDMs) to allow buildings of “around 20 storeys” in areas such as Ajuda, while Jorge Carvalho and Susana Neves have supported the idea of building upwards. The petition instead calls for urban regeneration, the reuse of vacant buildings, controlled-cost housing, affordable rentals and a maximum height of ten storeys, along with technical studies and public consultation before any planning changes are made.
