Forests and legislation under discussion in Sátão

On 11 December 2023, the Casa de Cultura Sátão hosted the 6th Forests and Legislation Debate, focused on the theme of protecting the urban-forest interface (UFI): legal dimensions. Led by Alexandre Manuel Mendonça Vaz, Mayor of Sátão, the introductory session featured prominent participants, including J.M. Aroso Linhares (UCILeR) and Miguel Almeida (House Refuge Project).

The event addressed international experiences, highlighting the role of law in regulating IUF in Australia and the United States. Panels on public land-use planning policies, new legislative perspectives and specific national regulations reinforced the relevance of the debate. Technical topics were also discussed, such as the impact of the House Refuge project on Portuguese legislation and fire safety regulations.

Throughout the day, relevant debates provided a comprehensive overview, culminating in a closing session led by Rute Sobral, Presiding Judge of the Viseu District Court, and Dulce Lopes, representative of House Refuge. The event emphasised the crucial importance of collaboration between municipal councils in promoting effective legislation for urban-forest protection, marking a significant step towards building a safer and more sustainable future.