Just Around the Corner
Susana Rosado
Francisco Serdoura
Alexandra Vieira
Jorge T. Ribeiro has been Associate Professor with Tenure at Univ. of Lisbon (ULisboa), Lisbon School of Architecture since 2001. He has also been a Senior Researcher at CERENA (Centre of Natural Resources and Environment) since 2006 and at CIAUD (Research Centre in Architecture, Urban Planning and Design) since 2022, both from Univ. of Lisbon. He took a degree in Decisional Systems Engineering (1988) and Mining Engineering (1989). He received a Mine Planning MSc (1994), an Engineering Sciences PhD (2000) and Technology and Management of Construction Habilitation (2019). His main scientific activities are Multivariate Data Analysis, Spatial Statistics, Optimization, Environment, Natural Resources and Urban Planning. He received, in partnership, an honorable mention (2nd place) in the 2025 Pedagogical Innovation Award, ULisboa.
Alexandra R. Vieira is Researcher at ULisboa, CIAUD (2015-). She took a degree in Architecture. As a graduate student, she received an Architecture PhD (2018). Her main scientific activity is Architecture and Urban Planning.
Susana Rosado is Assistant Professor at ULisboa, Lisbon School of Architecture (1997-) and researcher at CIAUD. She took a degree in Statistics and Operational Research (1997). She received an Statistics MSc (2001), and a Statistics PhD (2007). Her main scientific activities are Multivariate Data Analysis, Spatial Statistics, Optimization and Urban Planning. She received, in partnership, an honorable mention (2nd place) in the 2025 Pedagogical Innovation Award, ULisboa
Francisco Serdoura is Associate Professor with Tenure at ULisboa, Lisbon School of Architecture. He has a Degree on Architecture, a MSc. on Regional and Urban Planning and a PhD on Regional and Urban Planning. He has been working on urban design and public liveability for 30 years, with special interest in public space liveability, walkability, public safety, space syntax and tourism. He is an effective Member of CIAUD.
Most cities in the Western world struggle with the reduced and decreasing walkability of their citizens, especially the most vulnerable. The design of new urban areas benefits from anticipated knowledge of this problem and, considering current skills in urban planning, has all settings to implement urban solutions that guarantee greater walkability. However, in older and consolidated cities that did not foresee this problem affecting them, innovative, feasible, and economically viable solutions must be proposed to increase walkability.
The project establishes an analogy with communications networks (namely the concepts of connection, communication, sharing, and exchange), is inspired by graph theory, by the cases of some cities (e.g. Prague, Juíz de Fora, etc.) and the concept of the 15-minute walk city. The UN-Habitat and ITDP prioritizes connectivity, creating a finer pedestrian network in areas with large blocks. However, this project goes further, adding urban permeability. Opening passages/galleries on blocks allows inside crossing, encourages walkability for vulnerable populations (children and elderly), reduces polluting motorized travel, allows the discovery of the back of buildings by visitors and mitigate urban heat islands effect.
It applies, above all, when it is decided to renovate a building or construct a new one. The respective architectural design can include an opening passage that allows block crossing.
This approach was tested in some neighborhoods in Lisbon, Portugal.
Tools like Space Syntax and GIS were used to simulate the implementation of the proposal.
The results obtained were analyzed by data analysis methods and unequivocally demonstrate that this proposal significantly increases the connectivity and permeability of cities, facilitating pedestrian travel for the most vulnerable populations and encouraging walkability. Also contributes to decision-making by real estate developers and local government agents in future interventions.