Regional Government establishes preventive measures for residential area in Amparo, Funchal
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:
- Creation of new residential clusters;
- Construction, reconstruction, expansion, alteration, and demolition of buildings;
- Installation or expansion of commercial/industrial operations;
- Major alterations to the terrain configuration (embankments or excavations);
- Clear-cutting of trees;
- Destruction of topsoil and vegetation cover;
- Opening of cesspits or waste dumps;
- Water capture or diversions;
- Painting, whitewashing, or alterations to ornamental elements on buildings;
- Any other activities affecting the integrity of the area.
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.
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