O planeamento de infra-estruturas de apoio à náutica de recreio no Estuário do Tejo

The sector of leisure and recreational nautical activities has been characterized by strong international demand which will continue to grow, despite the effects of the economic and financial crisis worldwide. In this context, the Tagus estuary holds great potential, as shown by the work that some municipalities have undertaken. Such work is reflected in the drafted strategies and projects aiming to promote the revaluation of riverside areas. However, the development of leisure and recreational nautical activities should be framed by a careful planning of the infrastructures and equipments that support it. Bearing this in mind, it will be possible to adapt and scale infrastructures to the load capacity and to the specificities of the local environment, as well as to respond to the different needs inherent to a diversified demand. Furthermore, it promotes the development of multiplier effects on the local economy through the creation of conditions for new activities and services. Considering this, and based on the authors’ experience on the development of an integrated plan aiming to develop an infrastructure network that supports recreational boating in the Tagus Estuary (which was prepared for the Administration of the Port of Lisbon), the article (i) discusses the guiding principles regarding the infrastructure network supporting recreational boating in the Tagus estuary, (ii) discusses the basis criteria used for the development of a joint network, and (iii) presents a preliminary layout of this hierarchical network of infrastructures, which is a consequence of the enforcement of the established criteria, guidelines and assumptions.