“But people shouldn’t forget that nobody wanted to do anything to save these same neighborhoods a few years ago,” he added. Portugal had a long history of antagonism toward landowners, dating back to the 1910 revolution that ended the monarchy. Then, during a long military dictatorship, rents were frozen in Lisbon and the northern city of Porto. In the center stands a garden, surrounded by red forged-metal barriers designed by Joana Vasconcelos, one of Portugal’s best-known artists. “During a dark period of dictatorship, we lost our way but we’re now back on track.”

Source: New York Times May 24, 2018 03:45 UTC