If you are interested in art, design, architecture, and even food, Lisbon is hot right now. Portugal has been exploding with change, Lisbon in particular, and the last few years have seen a dramatic increase in the cleanup of the city’s run down areas, and in the new artistic movement. The urban planners have provided incentives for the renovation of buildings in decay; for the sprucing up of parks, gardens, and boulevards; for the transference of many run down areas into fun urban centers; and in for opening of wonderful galleries and restaurants. Every time I spend time in Lisbon, I find some new fantastic gallery or restaurant. Or a whole intersection changed into a great urban park. Or an amazing new museum. But the soul of Lisbon still remains, though it is stepping up its game.
“There is a new generation of creativity with respect to the arts, design, urban planning and culture”. Yet these artists, chefs, architects and urban planners are not simply making changes, “the new generation is more open to creative integrations of disciplines — architecture and art, architecture and food, architecture and advocacy, architecture and performance”. This new generation is taking a creative step forward, yet still keeping the tradition and history of the city mind. Lisbon still looks like a wonderful European capitol, but it is stepping it up creatively, and the people are loving it!