Multicultural Neighbourhoods of Setúbal

The multicultural neighbourhoods of the Setúbal District are a living map of the migration waves of recent decades. From Bela Vista with its Cape Verdean and Roma communities to Vale da Amoreira, where 45% of residents come from PALOP countries, these quarters have become laboratories of integration where social programmes turn challenges into achievements.

Bela Vista (Setúbal)

History

The Bela Vista neighbourhood was built under the Plano Integrado de Setúbal, a state social housing programme initiated by the Housing Development Fund (FFH) in the early 1970s. The project architect was José Charters Monteiro.

The neighbourhood consists of three zones:

Total scale: 155 buildings, 1,655 housing units, over 36% privately owned.

Community and diversity

Bela Vista is home to a significant Cape Verdean community as well as a Roma community. In April 2025, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited the Roma community in Bela Vista on International Roma Day, emphasising the need to “combat inequality”.

From fear to transformation

Around 15 years ago, Bela Vista was associated with fear, conflict and crime. Street lighting, green spaces and community infrastructure were absent. The transformation began with the “Nosso Bairro, Nossa Cidade” programme.

The “Nosso Bairro, Nossa Cidade” programme

Concept

A municipal programme launched in February 2012, covering the Bela Vista, Alameda das Palmeiras, Forte da Bela Vista, Manteigadas and Quinta de Santo António neighbourhoods. Over 60 partner organisations participate in the programme, which is based on the principle of resident-led decision-making.

Five priority areas:

1. Youth work
2. Education, training and employment
3. Neighbourhood image and visibility
4. Community life
5. Promoting resident participation

Projects

• Monitoring Commission of elected residents
• Caminhada — weekly walks to strengthen collective organisation
• Sound and Image Studio NBNC (since 2021)
• Espaço Monstro — a centre for performative arts
• Literacy, computer skills and sewing workshop programmes

International recognition

On 24 July 2018, the programme received the AICE Best Practice Award (International Association of Educating Cities) — one of 3 winning ideas from 62 submissions, 49 cities and 12 countries.

PRR rehabilitation

In 2023, the municipality announced a major physical rehabilitation: 445 housing units — a budget of over €40 million. The total rehabilitation investment is approximately €60 million from EU funds (PRR).

Vale da Amoreira (Moita)

Demographics

A residential area in the municipality of Moita with a population of around 10,000 and a unique ethnic composition:

• Portuguese — 55%
• Cape Verdeans — 15%
• Angolans — 10.3%
• Guineans — 10%
• São Toméans — 3.4%
• Mozambicans — 2.9%

The population grew explosively after the Carnation Revolution of 1974 with the influx of migrants from former colonies.

The “Bairros Críticos” programme

Vale da Amoreira became one of three pilot areas of the national “Critical Neighbourhoods” programme (alongside Cova da Moura in Amadora and Lagarteiro in Porto). The programme ran from 2007 to 2012 and was closed due to lack of funding.

Cultural life

• Associação Caboverdiana do Vale da Amoreira — Cape Verdean association
• CEA — Centre for Artistic Experimentation under the municipality
• “Sons, Ritmos e Cores” project — workshops in music, dance and video production for young people

Foreign population by municipality

Almada is home to 123 nationalities. Largest communities: Brazilians (6,506), Cape Verdeans (1,502), Angolans (1,203).

Integration programmes

SEI — Setúbal, Etnias e Imigração

The municipal migrant integration service. Provides free and confidential services: legal advice, help with regularisation, information on healthcare, education and housing. Services are available in Portuguese, Russian and Cape Verdean Creole.

CLAIM

The Local Centre for Migrant Integration Support, operated in Setúbal by the Portuguese Red Cross. Part of a national network coordinated by AIMA.

Setúbal — an Intercultural City

Setúbal is a member of the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities Network, confirming its status as a city systematically working with cultural diversity.

See also

• Social Housing and the SAAL Programme
• The African Diaspora of Setúbal
• The Brazilian Community of Setúbal
• The Migration Mosaic of Setúbal