Portugal: Mata de Sesimbra

Portuguese developer Pelicano is developing a €1.1 billion project to build 5,000 zero-carbon, zero-waste homes, hotels and shops.

The scheme also includes Europe’s largest-ever nature restoration scheme: work is already uinderway to return almost 5,000 hectares of surrounding land currently occupied by degraded logging plantations and quarries to native Mediterranean woodland.

A €90 million sustainable public transport network is also underway, and will eventually include providing hybrid eco-shuttles, free bicycles and car clubs.

Sales of properties will help to fund work to recover endangered species throughout Portugal.

The project is expected to create 11,000 new jobs.