Porto Metropolitan Area Research Articles

Tackling Social Inequality in the City of Porto, Northern Portugal: Grassroots Horticultural Practices and the Desired City

Grassroots urban horticultural plots (hortas), part of the Porto Metropolitan Area in Northern Portugal, are presented as liminal spaces that hold a richness of community life and a “gift economy.” Often in existence for several decades and encompassing groups of over 20 or 30 people, these informal communities are, nevertheless, not cherished by the instances of city governance that do not stand in the way of the destruction of these low‐income urbanite horticultural communities. The use of de Certeau’s concepts of “strategy” and “tactics” are used to try and explain this incompatibility between these two forms of urban (self) governance that hinders the right to the city by the low‐income urbanites who have created these horticultural grassroots communities.

Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on mobility behavior of public transport passengers: the case of Metropolitan Area of Porto

Public transport systems worldwide experienced significant declines in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lockdowns and work-from-home mandates. While numerous studies have examined these phenomena, there is still a need for empirical evidence that not only documents what occurred but also provides actionable insights for future transport planning. This study aims to enhance understanding of public transport passengers’ mobility behaviors during different stages of the pandemic, using the Metropolitan Area of Porto, Portugal, as a case study. Automated Fare Collection data from 2020 were analyzed and compared with data from the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The analysis included temporal, spatial, spatio-temporal, and sociodemographic dimensions. Key patterns and trends identified include a rapid recovery of ridership post-restriction easing, homogenized daily travel patterns, varied impacts on different transport modes, and significant shifts in demographic travel behaviors. These findings highlight the resilience of public transport demand and suggest that adaptive scheduling, enhanced safety measures, targeted support for vulnerable groups, promotion of off-peak travel, investment in bus infrastructure, and encouragement of multi-modal transport are essential strategies. Implementing these strategies can help improve public transport planning and mitigate the adverse effects of future crises.

P19-65 Human health risk assessment of metals in PM2.5: evaluating the concentration of metals within residential houses in Porto metropolitan area

P19-65 Human health risk assessment of metals in PM2.5: evaluating the concentration of metals within residential houses in Porto metropolitan area

The application of direct ridership models in the evaluation of the expansion of the Porto Light Rail Transit

The main purpose of this paper is to show how a direct demand ride model coupled with a transfer model was able to support the choice of alternative routes for the expansion of the light rail system serving the Porto Metropolitan Area. After an overview of the literature on direct ridership models, emphasizing some key issues such as the need for a systematic assessment of their forecasting performance, the issues related to the definition of the pedestrian catchment area and the limitations of the simultaneous consideration of demand and supply effects, the paper moves into the case study, providing some background information on current occupation densities, land uses and mobility patterns, as well as on the performance of the existing LRT in the Metropolitan Area of Porto. The development of the direct ridership model, measuring the potential attractiveness of each station, and the transfer model, measuring the number of transfers at each station, are presented in detail. A justification is provided why, in this case, a two-step modelling approach was necessary. Further details about the statistical tests for model validation are also provided. After a brief characterization of the alternative routes under analysis for the expansion of the network, the modelling results are presented enabling a comparative assessment of the potential performance of each proposed route. The paper ends with a discussion of the relevance of this modelling results vis a vis the actual final decisions on investment priorities taken jointly by the Metropolitan Council and the Metro Company.

Citizens’ deliberation on solutions to fight urban household food waste and nexus with growing urban gardens: The case of porto metropolitan area in Portugal

Food waste is currently acknowledged as a major societal challenge, including the food waste at the household level estimated to be responsible for the wastage of one third of the food produced for human consumption. Hence, tackling household food waste (HFW) is gaining a momentum in societal and policy agendas accompanied by an increasing effort of the scientific community to deliver evidence to address the research gaps on the causes and on the solutions to address this multidimensional societal problem. The proposed solutions by published literature to mitigate HFW can be unfolded into four major types, actions to raise people awareness, participatory actions, economic incentives, and collective actions. However, there is little evidence on the household's assessment of the different types of actions and its combination. This paper contributes to this research gap by adopting an innovative participatory approach, using deliberative focus groups (DFG), and analyzing the collected data through content analysis resorting to the software Maxqda. We had conducted six DGF in the Porto metropolitan area before and during the pandemic COVID-19 crisis. Our results highlight the citizen's option for more holistic actions in comparison to separate actions as a way to effectively fight food waste at household level. Another finding of our study is that citizen's growing urban gardens found it the more effective way to reduce household food waste. These results suggest that urban policies and underlying legal frameworks should favor holistic solutions to incentivise fighting HFW and account for the urban gardens as a relevant part of the solution. In addition, the study has shown that qualitative deliberative citizen-led approaches show insightful to understand how common people perceive as alternative or complementary the different types of actions to fight HFW proposed by the literature review.

Imagine your perfect park: a qualitative study on adolescents’ usage of green spaces, perceived benefits and preferences

ABSTRACT Green spaces are essential urban infrastructures. They represent cost-effective interventions to reduce health inequities and contribute to climate-resilient cities and adolescents’ health and well-being. Nevertheless, evidence suggests they are underused by adolescents, especially in Southern Europe. We explored the perspectives of adolescents on their use of green spaces (including frequency of use, activities performed, and types of space), perceived benefits, and preferences regarding green spaces’ characteristics. We performed seven online focus groups with 34 adolescents (15–16 years old) recruited from the Generation XXI cohort (a population-based birth cohort from the Porto Metropolitan Area, Portugal), stratified by socioeconomic status. Data were analyzed thematically by a deductive-inductive approach. Participants reported regular use of green spaces to perform physical activity, rest, and socialize. They perceived associated benefits for their general well-being and respiratory and mental health. The views shared by the participants suggest that the perfect park was idealized as large and multifunctional, providing a diversity of equipment and sufficient vegetation. It should be close to school and residential neighborhoods, upkeep, and made dynamic by the organization of cultural or sports events. Youth-led perspectives in urban planning might improve adolescents’ use of green spaces and encourage sustainable and equitable health-promoting urban environments.

Monitoring Net Land Take in a Metropolitan Region—Portugal

This study seeks to contribute to the definition of a “no net land take” policy by 2050 for Portugal’s second-largest metropolitan region (AMP, Porto Metropolitan Area) while sensitising those involved in regional and local planning to the European target. Based on an assessment of land use changes in AMP and its municipalities during 2007–2018, soil sealing levels in 2018 and population evolution, the study quantifies the processes that may impart achievement of the 2050 objective and identifies the regional drivers of net land take, to support the definition of both interventions to decrease land take and soil sealing and related targets. The main contribution of the research is the exploration of new indicators in terms of soil sealing and population data to identify the potential for implementing interventions proposed by the EU Soil Strategy that do not jeopardise the maintenance of biodiversity in urban areas. The land take rate in the AMP was the highest among mainland Portugal regions. Its main drivers were the development of transport networks, industrial and commercial units and dispersed housing. The reuse and re-naturalisation of artificial land have seen little use in the region. Accordingly, the daily net land taken in the AMP (0.59 ha/day) still needs to decrease until 2050. While artificial land increased across the AMP, most of its municipalities lost population. To reverse this trend, the AMP should implement tighter control mechanisms that ensure that infrastructure and housing needs are fully met through the reuse of urban areas that are already sealed. However, given that the share of impermeable soil in most urban areas is already significantly high, there will have to be a careful choice of locations where intensifying land use will cause less environmental damage. It is concluded that the degree of soil sealing within urban areas is fundamental for deciding on the interventions to be carried out to reduce net land take and for defining a policy towards meeting the 2050 target.

Scripts de Gênero e as Performances das Crianças que Reverberam no Contexto da Educação Infantil

ABSTRACT Gender Scripts and Children’s Performances that Reverberate in the Context of Early Childhood Education – Based on Gender Studies and the Sociology of Childhood, this article seeks to understand and analyze the strategies that children establish to deal with the gender scripts addressed to them in everyday Early Childhood Education. The results of the analysis show that they seek more plural ways of living their experiences as girls and boys, even though they are educated based on binary concepts that try to impose a repeated control of children’s bodies. The research, of ethnographic inspiration, was developed based on participant observation with four-year-old children, in a public early childhood education school, in the Metropolitan Area of Porto Alegre/RS/Brazil.

Exploring Modal Choices for Sustainable Urban Mobility: Insights from the Porto Metropolitan Area in Portugal

Efficient and sustainable urban mobility is critical for contemporary cities, and understanding the factors influencing modal choices is essential for addressing transportation challenges in metropolitan areas. This study focuses on the Porto Metropolitan Area (AMP) in Portugal and aims to gain insights into these factors. Using data from the last mobility survey (IMob) conducted in 2017, a multinomial logit (MNL) model is used to analyze individual modal choices amongst private motorized vehicles (PMVs), public transport (PT), and active modes (AMs). The findings unveiled that demographic, socioeconomic, and travel-related characteristics substantially influence individual modal choices within the studied area. Moreover, probability scenarios highlight the importance of financial considerations, environmental consciousness, and accessibility to public transport in promoting sustainable transportation options. These insights have significant implications for policymakers and stakeholders involved in urban planning and transportation management. This study contributes to the literature by providing valuable insights into individuals’ transportation preferences and behaviors, facilitating decision-making based on evidence for infrastructure improvements and targeted interventions. By promoting sustainable transportation alternatives and reducing reliance on PMVs, this study aims to enhance the livability and sustainability of the AMP, aligning with long-term sustainability goals.

Geographic patterns and hotspots of pediatric tuberculosis: the role of socioeconomic determinants.

Children are an important demographic group for understanding overall tuberculosis epidemiology, and monitoring of childhood tuberculosis is essential for appropriate prevention. The present study sought to characterize the spatial distribution of childhood tuberculosis notification rates in continental Portugal; identify high-risk areas; and evaluate the association between childhood tuberculosis notification rates and socioeconomic deprivation. Using hierarchical Bayesian spatial models, we analyzed the geographic distribution of pediatric tuberculosis notification rates across 278 municipalities between 2016 and 2020 and determined high-risk and low-risk areas. We used the Portuguese version of the European Deprivation Index to estimate the association between childhood tuberculosis and area-level socioeconomic deprivation. Notification rates ranged from 1.8 to 13.15 per 100,000 children under 5 years of age. We identified seven high-risk areas, the relative risk of which was significantly above the study area average. All seven high-risk areas were located in the metropolitan area of Porto or Lisbon. There was a significant relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and pediatric tuberculosis notification rates (relative risk = 1.16; Bayesian credible interval, 1.05-1.29). Identified high-risk and socioeconomically deprived areas should constitute target areas for tuberculosis control, and these data should be integrated with other risk factors to define more precise criteria for BCG vaccination.

Public Transport Usage and Perceived Service Quality in a Large Metropolitan Area: The Case of Porto

Using public transport as an alternative to private motorized vehicles (PMVs) is becoming increasingly popular in many cities worldwide. To understand what incentives and enhancements are necessary to attract and retain more passengers, a comprehensive understanding of the quality of public transport services is essential. This study aims to broaden the existing literature on the knowledge of public transport services in a large, heterogeneous metropolitan area. A cross-examination between a binary and an ordinal logit model is proposed, using data from a mobility survey in the Porto Metropolitan Area (PMA) in Portugal. The results show that households use PMVs mainly for speed (58.8%), comfort (49.3%), and lack of public transport to the destination (35.7%). Households using public transport cite not driving/owning a PMV (52.6%), lack of alternative transport modes (49.1%), and service cost (38.2%) as primary reasons. The perceived service quality (PSQ) within the PMA exhibits variance on multiple levels, depending on the characteristics of the household and the municipality’s location. This study provides policymakers of different cities in the PMA with insight into what incentives would most effectively increase the PSQ and, in turn, attract more passengers. This insight would be valuable in developing strategies to improve public transport usage and reduce PMV usage in the PMA. Adopting these strategies will contribute to reducing environmental impact and reducing traffic congestion.

Relationship between green space near schools with physical activity and body mass index in portuguese adolescents

Our aim was to determine the relationship between urban green spaces (UGS) number and greenness amount close to school with physical activity (PA) and body mass index (BMI) of adolescents. Participants (n = 194, aged 13–18 years) were recruited in 75 public secondary schools in the Porto Metropolitan Area. We used a self administered questionnaire to obtain information on height, weight, age and sex. PA levels were assessed using accelerometers. UGS number and greenness amount were measured using network buffers by 300, 500, 1000 and 1500 meters around each school, through geographic information system and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), respectively. Multilevel regressions were fitted to each green indicator individually. Multilevel models without adjustment showed a direct relationship between PA and NDVI [B = 118.14; 95%CI: 20.71, 215.57] and inverse relationship between PA and UGS number [B = -5.95; 95%CI: -10.06, -1.83] at 300 meters. Multilevel models with adjustment for socioeconomic deprivation showed a direct relationship between BMI and NDVI [B = 83.41; 95%CI: 30.84, 135.98] at 500 meters and a direct relationship between BMI and NDVI [B = 61.68; 95%CI: 3.07, 120.29] at 1000 meters. The present investigation does not support the idea that UGS number and the NDVI close to school promote PA and metabolic health in adolescents, as the results proved to be inconsistent and dependent on the distance threshold used to define geographic proximity.

A New Perspective on Supporting Vulnerable Road Users' Safety, Security and Comfort through Personalized Route Planning.

Due to an increase in population, urban centers are currently seeing an increase in traffic, resulting in negative consequences such as pollution and congestion. Efforts have been made to promote a modal shift towards the use of more sustainable means of transport, such as walking and cycling, but several deterrents influence the citizens' perceptions of safety, security and comfort, discouraging their choice of active modes of transport. This study focuses on the importance of providing meaningful information to vulnerable road users (VRUs) to support their perceptions and objectives while moving within urban spaces through a novel concept of route planning. A broad survey of the needs and concerns of VRUs through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires, applied to the Portuguese population of the Metropolitan Area of Porto, led to the development of a new concept of route planners that show personalized routes according to the individual perceptions of each user. This concept is materialized in a route planner prototype that has been extensively tested by potential users. Subjective evaluation and feedback showed the usefulness of the concept and added value to a familiar product, leading to a satisfying experience for participants. This study shows that there is an opportunity to improve these tools to provide a higher degree of power and customization to users on route planning, which includes addressing mobility restrictions and personal perceptions of safety, security and comfort. The ultimate goal of this new approach is to persuade citizens to switch to more sustainable means of transport.

START: Sustainable transport awareness recommendation tool

Sustainable mobility has become one of the most pressing issues in modern society. The need to raise awareness of climate change, combined with the overcrowding of metropolitan and urban areas, has produced a situation that requires an urgent solution. Some earlier approaches dealt primarily with transport-related issues, while some conceptual models attempted to increase the appeal of public transport by linking the services provided by public transport operators to a variety of city services. A practical and empirical answer, on the other hand, has not yet been given. This research addresses these issues by taking a holistic approach and presenting a personalized recommendation system based on users' everyday activities as well as their mobility profiles. The crossing of both sources of information allows for a more user-centric experience, ensuring that the offers presented are adapted to the tastes of customers. The potential of such a system is proven using data from Porto, Portugal. Two types of data sources were used to obtain more accurate results: data from the automated fare collection system of the Porto Metropolitan Area, Portugal, and data from city services taken from Google Places. The fundamental idea behind tackling this problem is to encourage people to use public transport by providing them with incentives such as discounts, promotions and service offers to encourage them to use cleaner and more efficient modes of transport.

Microbiological Safety of Cut Melons Sold in Portuguese Retail Markets: A Pilot Study.

Due to the increasing consciousness of a healthy diet and pursuit of convenience among consumers, the market for fresh fruit is on the rise, and the melon is among the most welcome of fruits for its sensory attributes and nutritional properties. Consumption safety of cut fruit remains an issue of concern that may affect public health. This study aimed to perform the microbiological characterisation of a melon, Cucumis melo L. var. “Piel de Sapo”, cut by retailers, wrapped in plastic cling film and kept at room temperature in local fruit shops. In addition, the possible transfer of relevant foodborne pathogens, during slicing, from the peel to the interior of the melon, and bacterial growth, were also evaluated when the melon slices were stored at abusive temperatures for 2 days. In this pilot study, a low number of samples were characterised microbiologically (26 cut melons), and some isolates were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. No Listeria spp. or Salmonella spp. were detected in any of the samples, while Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were present in four and six out of twenty-six samples, respectively. Following artificial contamination of melons with cocktails of Salmonella spp., E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, it was observed that, despite the smaller number of L. monocytogenes recovered, all the pathogens were transferred from the contaminated peels to the interior of the melons. Furthermore, over storage time, significant differences were observed (p < 0.05) between the counts obtained from melon slices immediately after cutting (0 h), and after 24 and 48 h at 20 °C, with an increase of about 4 log CFU/g in all the pathogens. In conclusion, some cut melons classified as microbiologically unacceptable or unsatisfactory are being sold in local fruit shops in the Porto Metropolitan Area, Portugal. Although absent in the samples analysed, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, if present, can be transferred from the outside to the inside of the fruit by the cutting blade and, if not consumed immediately and stored at abusive temperatures, this ready-to-eat product poses a risk of infection. This pilot study, performed for the first time in Portugal under these conditions, clearly demonstrates the need for education campaigns to alert local sellers and consumers of the risk posed by cut melons.

Transition to bereavement: A prospective longitudinal study of health-related quality of life in informal caregivers of oldest-old individuals.

Experiencing bereavement may be challenging. Despite the oldest-old population increase, a subgroup at greater risk of death, few studies focus on the grieving process of informal caregivers (ICs). This study analyzed the transition to bereavement of ICs of oldest-old individuals (≥80 years) over 1-year and compares the evolution of the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) between those experiencing bereavement and those who continued care through the study period. A prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted enrolling 204 ICs of the Metropolitan Area of Porto (North Portugal), of which 36 experienced the death of care receiver (CR). ICs' health profile and burden were assessed. CRs' functional and cognitive status were also appraised. Bereaving caregivers were mostly female, CRs' children, and had on average 60.4 years at baseline. Caregivers spent a mean of 10.1 h/day (SD = 7.7) caring, for 80.6 months (SD = 57.5). The time elapsed since CR's death was 6 months (SD = 3.5) from entering in the study. CRs who died had a mean age of 88.3 (SD = 5.4) years at baseline, and were very dependent. Over a 1-year follow-up, bereaving caregivers showed a significant decrease in mental health following CR's death; on the other hand, caregivers who continued caring improved mental health [F(1, 159) = 4.249, p = 0.041]. Ending the caregiver career was marked by a decline in mental health whereas to continue caring was marked by an improvement in this outcome. While it is highly expected that the CR's death will be perceived as a relief considering both the caregiver's characteristics (e.g., medicines) and the CR condition (e.g., high dependence levels), the results suggest an opposite direction. CRs' death seems to arise an emotional burden for IC, at least during the first year, possibly triggering feelings of loneliness and a life without purpose that seems to aggravate mental health issues. The transition to bereavement among ICs seems to lead to a caregiver mental health decline while those who continued caring (and thereby, experiencing caregiving stressors) seems to improve in this outcome. Ceasing caregiving stressors does not seem to contribute better experiencing bereavement among ICs, suggesting the need for support throughout this phase.

Policies and Practices on Intercultural Education in Portuguese Schools

ABSTRACT Intercultural Education focuses on reciprocal relationships and dialogue among people, in contexts where there is a shared understanding and appreciation of different cultures. The northern region of Portugal is becoming a host region for migrants and refugees. This article aims to understand how intercultural policies and practices are being developed in the region’s schools. The study is based on data collected from 13 schools, located in the Metropolitan Area of Porto. We started by analysing 130 School Educational Projects and Annual Plans of Activities. Thirteen schools, with promising approaches on diversity, integration and interculturality, were selected for conducting interviews with school leaders. Results from content analysis of documents and interviews indicate that schools share a general concern about the integration of all students, but do not particularly address minority groups. Diversity is not deemed worthy of particular attention, since it is believed to be already integrated into school everyday life and relationships. Simultaneously, Intercultural Education values exist in policy-level discourses of school leaders, but less in the discourses at the level of intercultural practices.

Caraterização do nível de literacia em saúde mental dos jovens na área metropolitana do Porto

Aim: This study aimed to map the level of mental health literacy (MHL) among young people aged 14 to 18 living in the Porto metropolitan area. Methods: A total of 847 young people participated in the study. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Portuguese versions of the Mental Health Promoting Knowledge Scale (MHPK-10) and Mental Health Literacy Measure (MHLM) were used. As exclusion criteria, young people were not to have a confirmed pathology that would prevent them from reading and understanding the questions. To assess possible predictors of MHL in youth, multiple linear regression was used. Results: It was found that 75.65% of the sample had a score of four or more on the MHPK-10, and 71.97% had a score on the MHLM indicative of a level of LSM. Predictor variables of a higher level of LSM include being older (95%CI&lt;age ]0.03; 0.10[), being female (95%CImale ]0.06; 0.20[), having higher education (95%CI&gt;educat ]1.12; 2.66[), and knowing someone with mental illness (95%CIknow ]0.45; 1.59[). Conclusion: According to the results, levels of LSM in the young population in Portugal are relatively high, with values denoting approximately 70% understanding.

Microplastics in Internal Tissues of Companion Animals from Urban Environments.

Simple SummaryMicroplastics are widespread anthropogenic contaminants, imposing a potential threat to organisms. A preliminary study was conducted to assess microplastics in postmortem samples of internal tissues of companion animals. Suspected microplastics were observed in the internal tissues of cats and dogs. Suspected microplastics were found in 35 out of 49 animals and 80 out of 242 samples. Particles sized 1–10 µm comprised 50.3% of the suspected microplastics. The number of particles found was very low and analytical methods must still be developed to improve the characterization and quantification of smaller-sized factions of microplastics. Moreover, this study suggests that microplastics may be internalized and distributed to the internal tissues of terrestrial vertebrates.Companion animals living in urban areas are exposed to environmental contaminants, which may include microplastics. A preliminary study was conducted by collecting postmortem samples from the internal tissue (lungs, ileum, liver, kidney, and blood clots) of 25 dogs (Canis familiaris) and 24 cats (Felis catus) living in an urban environment in Porto metropolitan area, Portugal. Suspected microplastics were found in 80 samples from 35 animals (18 cats and 17 dogs), often occurring in more than one tissue of the same animal (71.4%), primarily under small sizes (50.3% as 1–10 µm). Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed a fraction of particles as common polymer types (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate). However, the number of particles was very low. This study highlights the possibilities of the internalization and distribution of microplastics in the internal tissues of terrestrial vertebrates.

Green and blue spaces and lung function in the Generation XXI cohort: a life-course approach.

Exposure to natural environments may affect respiratory health. This study examined the association of exposure to green and blue spaces with lung function in children, and assessed the mediation effect of air pollution and physical activity. The study used data from the Generation XXI, a population-based birth cohort from the Porto Metropolitan Area (Portugal). Residential Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) at different buffers (100, 250 and 500 m), the accessibility to urban green spaces (UGS) within 400 and 800 m and the minimum distance to the nearest UGS and to the nearest blue spaces were assessed at birth, 4, 7 and 10 years of age. Three life-course measures were calculated: averaged exposure, early-life exposure (birth) and exposure trend over time (change in exposure). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75%) at 10 years were used as outcomes. To assess associations, linear regression models and path analysis were used. This study included 3278 children. The adjusted models showed that increasing the NDVI exposure over time within 100 m of the child's residence was associated with higher values of FEV1 (L) and FEF25-75% (L·s-1) (β 0.01, 95% CI 0.0002-0.03 and β 0.02, 95% CI 0.001-0.05, respectively). No significant associations were observed for the remaining measures of exposure, and no mediation effect was found for pollution or physical activity. Increasing exposure to greenness at close proximity from residences was associated with improved lung function. While the mechanism remains unknown, this study brings evidence that city greening may improve children's respiratory health.