The Madeira Regional Section of the Order of Architects (SRMAD) has sought to clarify its position amid the growing debate over the construction of multi-storey buildings in the Region, stressing that it is “neither for nor against” taller developments and that each project should be assessed on its own merits.
The clarification follows comments by the President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque, who earlier this week defended the possibility of allowing buildings of more than 20 storeys in parts of Funchal, arguing that greater building heights could help reduce the cost of public housing by making more efficient use of scarce and expensive land.
Responding to criticism of the proposal, Albuquerque dismissed a public petition opposing buildings of more than ten storeys, saying its supporters were “always the same” people who had opposed previous development projects in Madeira.
“They have been against the Government for 30 years and against everything that is done in Madeira. They were against the Promenade, the Funchal cable car and they are always against everything that means development,” he said during a visit to the Lapa Festival in Paul do Mar.
The Regional President also rejected claims that taller buildings would increase housing costs, arguing instead that allowing greater height in suitable locations would make public housing more affordable. He stressed that any changes would apply only in areas where there would be no significant impact on the landscape, particularly within the Funchal amphitheatre and along the main road corridors.
In a statement released on Friday, however, the Order of Architects emphasised that the discussion should not be reduced to the number of floors in a building.
It noted that Madeira’s steep terrain means that multi-storey buildings often extend above or below road level rather than taking the form of conventional high-rise towers. The organisation said it was not its role to endorse or oppose particular building typologies or architectural styles, but to ensure that projects are designed according to professional standards and the characteristics of each site.
The Order said its mission is to defend the public interest by promoting affordable housing, high-quality architecture, sound urban planning, landscape protection and environmental sustainability, rather than advocating for specific technical or planning solutions.
It also expressed concern that the public debate had shifted from a discussion about building height to one focused on “towers” and “skyscrapers,” arguing that images generated using artificial intelligence had created a misleading impression of what was being proposed. It pointed out that current planning legislation in Madeira would not permit the type of urban skyline seen in many international cities.
SRMAD stressed that it has never supported the indiscriminate construction of tall buildings, maintaining that any proposal must meet strict planning requirements, including adequate transport access, properly sized infrastructure, environmental impact assessments, landscape integration and full compliance with planning legislation.
The organisation argued that the quality of urban planning is more important than the number of storeys in a building, noting that excessive housing density can occur in both low-rise and high-rise developments.
It also encouraged greater public participation in discussions on planning policy and called for illegal and unauthorised construction to be reported, warning that such developments can damage Madeira’s landscape and built heritage.
Concluding its statement, the Order reaffirmed that modern architecture should be designed by qualified professionals, free from external pressures, and called for a public debate based on facts, mutual respect and informed discussion rather than political rhetoric.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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