From Concrete to Biodiversity: “Roteiros com ImPacto” Show the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel’s Impact on Sustainability

Source: Porto.

The fourth edition of the “Roteiros com ImPacto” highlights how the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel and Dr. Mário Soares Urban Park transformed the Lapa district into a successful case of sustainable urban regeneration.

This initiative, part of the Porto Climate Pact, continues to showcase projects that reflect the city's ambition to decarbonize, value nature, and adapt to climate change.

For many years, the Lapa area remained under the radar in the urban landscape. The development of the new hotel and urban park enhanced its potential through a public-private partnership between the Porto City Council and the Mercan Properties Group.

Opened in 2023, the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel became the first hotel in Portugal—and the eighth in the world—to receive LEED Platinum certification, the highest international distinction in sustainable construction.

According to Nuno Poiares, the architect behind the hotel project, it "was born to be a national example but ended up becoming an international case," highlighting the reuse of excavation materials, energy efficiency, and smart control of water and air consumption as key elements of the project.

More than just a hotel, the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel served as a catalyst for a broader urban redevelopment effort, which included the revitalization of public spaces and the creation of the Dr. Mário Soares Urban Park, covering approximately 17,000 square meters.

Landscape architect Jorge Maia, who led the park project, emphasized its role as a natural retention basin and a haven for biodiversity, featuring species adapted to water variability and climate demands.

Porto’s Deputy Mayor, Filipe Araújo, stressed that this is a clear example of advancing the city’s strategy for decarbonization and environmental enhancement: "Porto needs more green spaces and natural drainage solutions. This park is a clear answer to that,” he stated.