Urban Planning and Housing in Lisbon from the 1950s: Some Hidden Facts

Urban planning in the 1950s laid the foundation for innovative urban and architectural practices, not only by investigating the spatial and constructive aspects of housing, but also by attempting to expand and improve free green spaces. This paper aims to go deep into the theoretical principles of two Lisbon neighborhoods recognized as urban paradigms on public housing, namely, the Olivais Norte and Olivais Sul (1954–1964), trying to perceive a concept of living that interweaves the private and public dynamics through the green spaces. Digging into the municipal archives, the paper sheds light on the Gabinete de Estudos de Urbanização (GEU) (Urban Studies Office, 1954–1959) urbanistic contributions through its development of the 1959 Lisbon Master Plan and the creation of more than 100 urbanization plans for Lisbon. The Olivais were the only ones implemented, even though it underwent considerable transformations. The GEU vision for Lisbon included a population of up to 1,100,000 inhabitants and a green space ratio of 55 m² per inhabitant. The built Lisbon struggles to provide housing for approximately 534,000 inhabitants, with a green space ratio of 36 m² per inhabitant. Critically analyzing the (mis)steps of Lisbon’s planning processes through the lens of the 1950s experience can help guide current decisions and chart future paths.