https://www.cm-lagos.pt/…/8626-lagos-apresenta-plano…
The presentation of the strategic tourism plan for the municipality of Lagos started in the best way, stating that Lagos has a responsibility for the protection of nature and that green tourism would be a growing trend and therefore an area of focus.
Sustainability and the circular economy were mentioned, topics that are increasingly important in view of the problems of climate change and pollution that we face today. Unfortunately nothing concrete was presented in relation to this as the nice words seemed to serve merely as an embellishment alongside the slides.
Lagos was presented as a municipality of unique beauty, but the truth is that there was nothing in this presentation to defend this incredible and attractive coastline, while the amount of construction on the landscape is becoming increasingly evident.
The private land that links the beach between Camilo and Dona Ana was touched upon. One of the most iconic places in Lagos that, if we were to appeal to the Chamber’s responsibility for Natural Heritage, would be essential to keep free for public use and far from construction. It seems to us that the municipality believes that modern architecture is an asset, seeming to devalue the increasingly scarce green spaces.
Undoubtedly, one interesting project will be the use of waste water or desalination for the irrigation of golf courses. We do hope that the project does not just stay on paper as it could make golf tourism more sustainable in an area where water scarcity is a recurring theme.
The council congratulated itself on their solid waste management and recycling, although Lagos residents would hardly agree, since in the high season – from June to September – it is impossible to find an ecopoint that does not have garbage overflowing.
After we had heard about investments and the creation of infrastructure and services, we still lack the basics of a city that serves residents and tourists: the creation of common green areas, areas where the construction is left aside to highlight what makes the western Algarve so special, namely its nature.
