Developing cutting-edge, diversity-focused tourist facility
Let's Chat About the Vale de Memórias - Inclusive Tourism Project
The exciting project named "Vale de Memórias - Turismo Inclusivo" is all set to stretch across roughly 300 square meters in Mogadouro, Portugal. Here's what's cooking with this forward-thinking initiative, designed to include everyone, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive capabilities.
This project embodies the spirit of inclusive tourism, welcoming tourists of all shapes and sizes. Aware that perfection in accessibility may not be achievable due to the diversity of requirements among visitors, the team behind this project focused on developing an accessible and cutting-edge space aimed at complete inclusivity, combining innovation and sustainability to cater to all tourists.
Dalila Gouveia, the project's brainchild, explained to Lusa that the Vale de Memórias project intends to meet the needs, restrictions, or deficiencies of its users and overcome the scarcity of such inclusive equipment in Mogadouro and the surrounding region, even the country as a whole.
Gouveia highlighted that this project is just the beginning of a transformative journey that aims to expand to other locations within Mogadouro and the North region in the future. In less populated areas, such as Vale da Madre, a serene village with an aging population, this project makes perfect sense as visitors flocking here seek tranquility, silence, and relaxation.
Meanwhile, Ana Rita Pombo, the architect of this unique project, spoke about the potential to delve deeper into an even more inclusive architectural approach. Creating a fully inclusive architectural project is a daunting task, requiring more than merely adhering to legal technical accessibility standards. It demands empathy and a profound understanding of how various users will interact with the space.
In this particular project, Pombo faced specific hurdles: the original building was limited by the nearby walls of pre-existing structures, which drastically reduced the freedom to intervene. Despite these challenges, the project managed to find harmony among accessibility, functionality, the building's morphology, and architectural goals.
An inclusive approach, Pombo emphasized, needed to be holistic, considering physical, sensory, cognitive, and cultural needs of people irrespective of their age, ability, or background. True inclusion, she added, commences in the preliminary study phase, ensuring that the designed space welcomes all its users, promoting equity, autonomy, and dignity from the first design.
According to the architect, the project was carried out through a clear and intuitive organization of spaces, proper dimensioning of compartments, application of specialized equipment, careful use of colors, materials, coatings, and optimal use of natural light, reflecting the thought and care put into it.
The first phase of the "Vale de Memórias - Turismo Inclusivo" project is scheduled to commence operations at the end of 2026, and construction work will begin shortly. Along with the project comes the creation of two skilled jobs.
Intriguingly, this project is an investment of approximately 600,000 euros by a local entrepreneurial couple, underlining their dedication to pioneering and inclusive tourism initiatives in Mogadouro[1].
News has emerged about the upcoming "Vale de Memórias - Turismo Inclusivo" project in Portugal, which aims to revolutionize the lifestyle and tourism scene by creating an accessible home-and-garden space for tourists of all abilities. The project, located in the serene village of Vale da Madre, will be a pioneer in inclusive architecture, paving the way for a more inclusive travel experience. Furthermore, the first phase of this transformative project is expected to be completed in late 2026, creating two new home-based jobs in the region. [1]
