CIDADE RAIZ

This project envisions a flood-resilient waterfront neighborhood in Lisbon, responding to the threat of rising sea levels while enhancing community engagement and sustainability. The design aims to mitigate flooding using natural, eco-friendly solutions that integrate architecture and landscape, rather than relying solely on engineering interventions. At the heart of the design is a sponge system, comprising a central depression and an underground, cave-like structure. This structure, made from semipermeable materials, slows floodwaters by clashing with its organic, curved surfaces. Water is retained and gradually percolates into the ground, helping recharge groundwater levels. The bio-swales along the site’s edges further manage water flow and filter pollutants, working in harmony with the surrounding marshy vegetation and dense forest areas. The residential units, arranged concentrically around this sponge system, are divided into 30 sqm and 60 sqm dwellings. The larger units are placed on the ground level, while the smaller units are elevated, ensuring optimal sunlight and ventilation. The units are connected via shared corridors and buffer spaces, offering both privacy and community interaction. The concentric layout allows all dwellings to overlook the central landscape, providing a scenic, open view. In addition to housing, the design includes community spaces such as markets, squares, and play areas. A diagonal pathway lined with bio-swales leads from the acute-angled entry point to the residential area, serving both as a flood mitigation feature and a social spine for pedestrian movement. The neighborhood is further enriched by oyster farming, leveraging the site’s proximity to water to foster sustainable aquaculture and boost local livelihoods through tourism, training, and restaurants. The project is designed to be modular and replicable, adaptable to other coastal regions with similar flood risks. Over time, the site will evolve into a self-sustaining ecosystem with robust flood management, enhanced biodiversity, and community-driven economic growth. This flood-resilient model balances environmental sensitivity with social and economic vitality, creating a blueprint for sustainable coastal living.