District C is an area of urban innovation that integrates cultural, creative and scientific spaces, linked to the rehabilitation of Couros’ industrial heritage. It functions as a living lab where solutions for mobility, energy, waste and land use are tested, bringing the city closer to the climate transition. The cluster brings together educational facilities, research spaces, areas for artistic experimentation and meeting places, enabling different audiences to actively use the territory. District C shows how urban regeneration can support sustainability, combining heritage preservation with new functions and participation models. The project is recognised at European level for its contribution to environmental, cultural and social innovation. 

Retention Basins

The Retention Basins of the Costa/Couros Stream are climate adaptation infrastructures built to reduce flood risk in the lower part of the city. Located at strategic points, they temporarily store large volumes of water, regulating the streamflow and reducing pressure on the water system during periods of heavier rainfall. The intervention integrated ecological enhancement solutions, such as restoring the riparian gallery, stabilising the banks and creating a green-blue corridor that strengthens natural connectivity. These basins contribute to urban resilience, improving safety, ecosystem functioning and the relationship between the population and the riverside environment.  

Gymnastics Academy
The Gymnastics Academy of Guimarães is a facility dedicated to training and competition, designed with energy-efficiency and environmental-integration criteria. The building — striking for its cork cladding — uses sustainable solutions such as rainwater capture and reuse systems, photovoltaic panels for energy production, and geothermal energy for climate control. These elements reduce consumption, improve thermal performance and lower the facility’s ecological footprint. The space was planned to ensure appropriate conditions for sports practice, promoting comfort, safety and indoor air quality. The Gymnastics Academy shows how public facilities can incorporate sustainable construction principles, serving as a local reference for adopting practices aligned with the climate transition.

Community Garden
The Community Garden is a public area dedicated to urban agriculture, enabling residents to grow produce for their own consumption in individual plots. The project promotes direct contact with nature, encourages more sustainable eating habits and values the fertile soils of the Veiga de Creixomil. The space also serves as an educational resource, offering activities that strengthen environmental literacy and understanding of natural cycles. The garden contributes to community wellbeing, creating opportunities for hands-on learning, social interaction and active participation in the management of green spaces.

Veiga de Creixomil
Veiga de Creixomil is a low-lying area of the city, traversed by the Selho River, historically associated with agriculture and rich in biodiversity. The site maintains a variety of habitats that support local flora and fauna, forming a green corridor within the urban fabric. It is valued for its ecological, cultural, and educational functions, providing opportunities to explore natural cycles, observe wildlife, and understand the interactions between water, soil, and vegetation. Veiga de Creixomil highlights the importance of conserving peri-urban landscapes, balancing heritage, ecosystem services, and community engagement. 

The Landscape Laboratory
The Landscape Laboratory is a structure dedicated to research, education and technical support in environmental sustainability. Housed in a rehabilitated former industrial unit, it develops projects in areas as diverse as biodiversity, water resources, climate, health and wellbeing, and circular economy. This Centre hosts researchers, promotes awareness-raising initiatives and coordinates educational programmes. It acts as a link between science, the community and public policies, producing applied knowledge and supporting the implementation of solutions that contribute to climate resilience, sustainable resource management and the municipality’s environmental value.

Penha Mountain is Guimarães main continuous green area and the highest point in the municipality, bringing together natural, landscape and recreational value. The site includes an extensive forested area, walking trails, viewpoints, a campsite and several visitor areas, serving as a place for leisure and contact with nature. Due to its scale and diversity, it is a relevant example of green-space management and the promotion of wellbeing. Penha Mountain is also an important educational resource, allowing the observation of habitats, species and conservation practices in a real setting.