Without wanting to state exactly where the spots would be, Lisbon Councillor for Urbanism Manuel Salgado said the Town Hall is conducting a study into Portuguese cobblestone, which aims to come up with more contemporary patterns.
The councillor also said the council will be replacing patches of poorly-laid cobblestone with “more comfortable paving”.
A Pedestrian Accessibility Plan, an initiative that comprises 100 different measures to be introduced by 2017, to facilitate mobility in the capital, was recently approved by Lisbon Municipal Assembly.
Among the measures is the creation of more sidewalks and bicycle paths, although a suggestion to remove traditional Portuguese cobblestone pavements has caused controversy.
The now-approved Accessibility Plan foresees Portuguese calçada being removed from spots throughout the city of Lisbon “where it is dangerous” and hinders the mobility of older people or the disabled, but this has, however, been strongly contested.
The Association for the Defence of Lisbon Heritage described the removal of traditional cobblestone paving as “unacceptable” and said it will be launching a petition against the measure.