The New Legal Regime for Urbanization and Construction

The Perspective of an Engineer

Abstract

Any changes to the legal frameworks governing building and urbanization are complex operations, becoming particularly challenging when the modifications are profound.

This is the case with Decree-Law 555/99, which introduces new administrative procedures, mandates public discussion of projects, alters the response times of the administration, and defines differentiated forms of action in cases of non-compliance. It also revises concepts related to urban operations, institutes a fee for urban infrastructure, among many other matters.

This article seeks to analyze and reflect on some of the measures set out in the decree and anticipate their practical consequences. Will anything actually change?

Ultimately, it is a matter of confronting the commendable objectives of the new regime with the urgent need to modernize the services provided by the public administration—a crucial issue that is simply overlooked in Decree-Law 555/99.