Roteiro 4: Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel and Parque Urbano Dr. Mário Soares

27/06/2025

The fourth visit of the Roteiros com ImPacto initiative showcased how the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel and the Dr. Mário Soares Urban Park have transformed the Lapa area into a successful case of sustainable urban regeneration. The initiative, part of the Porto Climate Pact, continues to highlight projects that reflect the city’s ambition toward decarbonization, the enhancement of nature, and adaptation to climate change.

For years, the Lapa area remained relatively low-profile within the urban context. The development of the new hotel and park has reinforced its potential, the result of a public-private partnership between Porto City Council and the Mercan Properties group.

Inaugurated in 2023, the Renaissance 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 the hotel’s project architect, Nuno Poiares, it “was designed to be a national benchmark, but ended up becoming an international case study,” highlighting the reuse of excavation materials, energy efficiency, and smart control of water and air consumption as core aspects of the project.

More than just a hotel, the Renaissance served as the driving force behind a broader urban operation, which included the redevelopment of the public space and the creation of the Dr. Mário Soares Urban Park, spanning around 17,000 square meters.

The landscape architect responsible for the park, Jorge Maia, emphasized its role as a natural retention basin and a haven for biodiversity, with species adapted to hydric variation and climate resilience.

Porto’s Deputy Mayor, Filipe Araújo, stressed that this is a clear example of the city’s progress in its strategy for decarbonization and nature enhancement. “Porto needs more green spaces and natural drainage solutions. This park is a clear response,” he stated.