BEYOND TOURISM: STRATEGIC PATHWAYS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN GROWTH IN LISBON

The research explores at strategies to better manage Lisbon's sustainable growth, investigates the solutions that are available, and assesses their potential. Lisbon's rapid tourism growth has brought significant economic benefits but also substantial challenges. Among these, housing abandonment stands out, with approximately 134,000 vacant properties contributing to urban inefficiency and social strain. These issues demand strategic solutions to ensure sustainable urban development. This study is significant because it helps create a more sustainable and manageable city, which consequently advances some of the 17 SDGs. In addition, by encouraging innovation, improved connectivity, and sustainable urban development, it directly supports SDGs 8, 9, and 11. The main objective of this dissertation is to analyze what strategies can be applied in Lisbon, to repurpose abandoned housing by ensuring sustainable urban development with constant tourism growing. Drawing on scientific papers, the literature review examines over-tourism and urban challenges. These studies provide insights to answer the research question. Specific attention is given to housing management strategies, including the revitalization of abandoned properties, as a crucial element of urban sustainability. After reviewing the literature review, a qualitative approach is used to evaluate the challenge. The qualitative methodology involved interviews with policymakers, and business professionals to connect numerical data with real-world experiences. This methodology ensures a clarifying and dynamic understanding of the aspect. The results obtained from interviews emphasize the importance of innovative management practices and stakeholder collaboration to repurpose vacant properties effectively by integrating tourism into urban planning. The study concludes by proposing management-driven strategies for sustainable urban growth. It wants to demonstrate how Lisbon can address these challenges while serving as a model for other cities facing similar issues.