The Loures Riverfront project represents a thoughtful integration of urban mobility infrastructure with ecological preservation and public education along the Tagus River in Portugal’s Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Designed by Topiaris Landscape Architecture, this 6.2-kilometer pedestrian and cycling pathway serves multiple functions — it connects previously isolated urban areas, reduces carbon emissions through alternative transportation, and simultaneously protects and showcases the region’s unique estuarine ecosystems.
Rather than prioritizing efficient point-to-point travel, the design of the Loures Riverfront urban mobility project intentionally creates a meandering experience that encourages visitors to engage with the surrounding salt marshes, mudflats, and reed beds through observation platforms and interpretive elements. The project’s sensitive approach to landscape intervention demonstrates how infrastructure can enhance rather than disrupt fragile habitats, with its winding path following natural drainage patterns and careful material selections minimizing environmental impact.
Image Credit:
Artur Carvalho & João Guimarães
