Lisbon’s eastern riverfront has gradually shifted from industrial and logistics uses towards longer-term regeneration planning, where large infrastructure corridors have limited continuity between the city and the waterfront. Across several districts, this has produced a patchwork of underused plots, working industrial remnants, and emerging redevelopment projects within the same wider urban corridor.
The Lisbon City Council has approved the Marvila Masterplan developed by MVRDV and OODA, working alongside LOLA Landscape Architects and Thornton Tomasetti to reshape a fragmented stretch of the city’s eastern riverfront between Marvila and Beato into a connected urban and landscape system.
Covering approximately 28ha, the plan defines a long-term structure for one of Lisbon’s most underused waterfront zones, establishing a consolidated framework for a site that remains physically and functionally fragmented despite its proximity to central Lisbon and the Parque das Nações district.
The masterplan introduces approximately 1,400 homes, alongside public facilities, commercial spaces, and services. According to the approved framework, the intention is to support a continuous urban environment that remains active across different times of the day, rather than a single-function residential district. Facilities such as a day centre and a care home are also included, alongside everyday services and neighbourhood commerce.
Fragmented riverfront shaped by long-term transformation
The Marvila Masterplan site on Lisbon’s eastern riverfront has undergone successive layers of transformation, shifting from agricultural land owned by historic Lisbon families to early industrial development from the late 18th century onwards. Despite its proximity to central Lisbon and the Parque das Nações district, the area remains characterised by vacant plots, disused infrastructure, and limited public space provision.
The masterplan responds to these conditions by structuring development around four distinct areas, each with its own identity, while remaining linked through a continuous system of public space, landscape, and mobility.
Landscape, mobility, and reconnecting the riverfront
A central element of the proposal is a large urban park that connects the four areas through a network of squares, courtyards, and green corridors.
The landscape integrates pedestrian and cycling routes, as well as connections towards the waterfront, while also introducing spaces for sport, urban allotments, and events.
The plan also incorporates measures to address major infrastructure constraints. It includes provisions to mitigate the impact of the future Third Tagus Crossing bridge, which is expected to pass through the site, through the introduction of green buffers and partial coverage of infrastructure elements.
The existing railway barrier will be addressed through a planned new deck over the Northern Line tracks to restore pedestrian continuity between Chelas station and the riverfront, while also creating new public space and viewpoints over the Tagus. A new Marvila station building is also included to strengthen integration with public transport, alongside a reorganised road network designed to improve connections between different topographic levels and prioritise walking and cycling routes.
The masterplan has undergone two rounds of public consultation, with feedback incorporated into the evolving design framework. It forms part of a private initiative led by the principal landowner, developed in coordination with the Lisbon City Council and Infraestruturas de Portugal.
Following approval at execution unit stage, the next phase includes environmental impact assessment, urbanisation works, and land subdivision to prepare the site for implementation.
*Images: Courtesy of MVRDV*