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Regional regulatory decree approves a special regime for controlling works and activities in an area of Amparo, São Martinho, for two years, to safeguard future affordable housing projects.
The Regional Government of Madeira has approved a regime of preventive measures for a specific area in the Amparo zone, parish of São Martinho, municipality of Funchal. The objective is to reserve land with building capacity for the future implementation of regional housing policy, namely for the construction of affordable collective housing.
The Regional Regulatory Decree No. 16/2026/M, published on August 28, subjects the area delimited in the attached plan to strict control for a period of two years, extendable by one more. During this period, a series of acts or activities become dependent on prior authorization from the Regional Secretariat for Equipment and Infrastructure, after consultation with the Funchal City Council.
The restricted activities include:
The decree is based on the severe housing crisis affecting the region, aggravated by pressure from the tourism market and the scarcity of land with building capacity, particularly in Funchal. The measure aims to ensure that well-located land with infrastructure is not occupied for other purposes, allowing the Regional Government, through IHM - Investimentos Habitacionais da Madeira, EPERAM, to develop projects for supported and affordable public housing.
Monitoring compliance with these measures is the responsibility of the Regional Secretariat for Equipment and Infrastructure and the Funchal City Council.
The Regional Government Council approved five public commendations for Madeira athletes and the organisations that supported them, recognising results achieved at international canoeing events. The honours include five bronze medals at the 2026 ICF Ocean Racing World Cup and a European Championship title.
Fabiana Cristela Freitas Fernandes Cardoso and Ana Célia Mendes Sousa Pestana were assigned to the Regional Directorate of School Administration, effective 7 September 2026. Both retain the salary grade they held in their previous positions.
Pedro Gonçalves de Barros has been appointed head of the Territorial Monitoring and Landscape Division of the Regional Directorate for Territorial Planning. The one-year appointment takes effect on 1 October 2026.