Ricardo Araújo sets out plans for Guimarães at the Town Hall

James H. Amos • August 22, 2026 02:05

Ricardo Araújo, the Mayor of Guimarães, set out in an interview with JN the approach he intends to take to tackle residents’ concerns and make the municipality more appealing to younger people.

At 48, Ricardo Araújo was elected Mayor of Guimarães on the Juntos Por Guimarães (PSD/CDS) ticket, bringing 36 years of Socialist leadership to an end. A manager and politician with a degree in International Relations from the University of Minho, he took office on 25 October 2025, promising to give the municipality fresh momentum built around three priorities: housing, mobility and economic development. Six months into the term, the Social Democrat mayor argues that Guimarães must “transform the territory” if it is to become a competitive municipality, attractive to young people and recognised across Europe for quality of life.

The Council is moving ahead with the first 75 public homes in Azurém under 1.º Direito. Are more already in the pipeline?

Yes. Housing sits at the top of this administration’s agenda. We must meet demand and expand supply, both in the public and private sectors. As far as public housing is concerned, we are now launching the first contract to build the first 75 units, and we have also opened a new call expressing our intention to purchase around 300 additional units.

At the same time, we are working to grow the supply of cost-controlled homes in partnership with private developers. Our aim is to bring the private sector in to increase provision not only for people in the most vulnerable economic and social circumstances, but also for middle-income households and young people. In parallel, we want to speed up planning and licensing procedures so that private developers can play a stronger role in increasing overall housing availability.

How many families are registered as needing public housing?

Our Local Housing Strategy identifies the households in greatest need, but the reality today extends far beyond that group. A large proportion of the people I meet in weekly public surgeries come specifically to ask for support with housing. And we are also talking about middle-income and lower-middle-income residents, as well as young people.

There are many families registered and waiting for public housing, but the housing problem is now widespread. That is why the response has to be varied too, involving both the public and private sectors. The 75 units now being launched are for 1.º Direito, meaning those in the most vulnerable economic and social situations. But we also need solutions for young people and the middle classes. If we want young people to put down roots in Guimarães, we must ensure they can access housing. One route could be, for instance, refurbishing homes in the Historic Centre aimed specifically at younger residents.

The second review of the PDM is under way. June is indicated as the completion date. Will the deadline be met?

We are working to deliver within that timeframe. It is important to clarify that we are not starting a new Municipal Master Plan (PDM) review from scratch. We inherited a process begun by previous Socialist administrations that they did not manage to complete.

We made use of the extended deadline to introduce several changes we see as essential. I asked the technical teams to reassess every submission made during the public consultation, with one objective: to increase the amount of urban land available for housing construction and for business locations.

Housing is a priority, and expanding supply depends on the PDM allowing more urban land suitable for building. Unfortunately, around ten years ago, the previous administration reduced urban land by roughly 30%. It was a mistake and we are still feeling the consequences. I want Guimarães to be a competitive municipality, able to host more companies and more housing.

The Council is carrying out a strategic study to attract investment and drive economic development. What will it be used for?

The study should be completed by the end of the first half of this year. The purpose is to put in place a new municipal economic policy. We want to diversify the business base, attract domestic and international investment, draw in “startups” and strengthen innovation.

Guimarães has substantial capabilities already in place, through the University of Minho, IPCA and innovation laboratories. The challenge is to turn that knowledge into a real economy. We want to create more highly skilled and better-paid jobs, attract and retain young people, and make Guimarães a competitive area.

You have always argued for the metrobus solution to link Guimarães to Taipas and, later, to Braga. Why?

More than debating the decision, what matters now is moving into delivery. The metrobus option is based on three points: lower capital investment, faster implementation and operating and maintenance costs that are far below those of a surface tram.

We are talking about very significant differences. An investment of 100 million in metrobus could equate to 400 or 500 million in a light rail system. In addition, metrobus fits the area’s topography better because, as a rubber-tyred system, it can handle gradients and bends more easily. There is, however, one essential condition: the route must be exclusive. Only then can we guarantee reliability, speed and comfort.

Do you already have funding for the project?

It has not yet been contractually secured, but we have assurances from the Government that funding will be available. I recently hosted the Minister for Infrastructure, and he publicly committed to financing the scheme. At this stage, we have already launched the procurement process to commission the preliminary study.

Will the metrobus solve mobility problems in the municipality?

It will not solve everything, but it will make a major difference. Mobility in Guimarães should rest on three pillars: implementing the metrobus, strengthening the bus network, and upgrading roads while creating new access routes.

We also want to introduce free bus travel by the end of this year, expand network coverage, increase frequencies and add new timetables, including weekends and night-time services.

You have completed six months as Mayor. What is your assessment so far?

My assessment is positive. We are at a stage where we are delivering what we promised while also reshaping the area. The three main priority strands are clear: housing, mobility and the economy.

What was the most difficult legacy left by Domingos Bragança, the previous Mayor?

Housing was one of the biggest failures I inherited. For years, there were very significant opportunities for public funding, including support at 100%, and Guimarães let them slip away. We are now trying to make up for lost time, but the financial context is no longer the same.

There is also a major challenge carried over from the past that continues to concern me: delivering the projects planned under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). There are many works, but a large part of them are heavily at risk in terms of deadlines and, therefore, we face a serious risk of non-compliance, which we are trying to resolve.

Are you in favour of creating the Minho Metropolitan Area?

I am clearly in favour.

Do you support merging the Intermunicipal Communities (CIM) of Cávado and Ave, or do you think it should be broader and include Viana do Castelo?

At an initial stage, I would welcome a metropolitan area that brings together the Ave CIM and the Cávado CIM, without ruling out possible expansion later. There is strong interdependence between these territories, particularly in mobility, employment and the economy.

A clear example is the joint work the two CIMs have already been doing on the new public transport concession for 2028.

As decentralisation deepens, what other powers would you like to see assigned to municipalities?

On the one hand, I would like any transfer of responsibilities to be matched by increased funding, because it is not enough to hand over powers; the corresponding financial envelope must be guaranteed.

With the transfers made in education and health, I can assure you that the municipality’s costs are currently higher than the funding it receives from the State for those responsibilities. That said, beyond additional powers, what is most needed is faster and more streamlined procedures.

A concrete example is housing, where municipalities could and should have greater powers and capacity to increase the public housing supply more easily.

Is it mandatory to revise the local government finance law?

The time has come to carry out that review.