The University of the Algarve (UAlg) is rehabilitating three university residences, with an investment forecast of about three million euros, an investment that will be paid for 80% with the help of Brussels, revealed the educational institution.

In a press release, the UAlg reports that “interventions to renovate the buildings” started at the beginning of Junehaving as “concern” an “adequate conservation and valorization of the pre-existence, as well as its combination with the improvement of the conditions of well-being and quality of life” of the affected students.

“This phase of interventions, which will cover 237 beds, will thus contribute to provide an integrated and long-term response to higher education students who are displaced from their place of residence”, says the note.

The University of the Algarve explains that it “decided to concentrate the aforementioned interventions in this period, in order to cause fewer restrictions on the normal functioning of academic life.”

The works are being carried out at this time because “many students no longer have activities during the month of June”and the school holidays last until the first half of September.

According to the UAlg, all students were informed of the procedures in progress at the beginning of the lease and accommodation or relocation was guaranteed to all those who needed it during the month of June, at no additional cost.

Energy efficiency, new sanitary facilities and shared spaces

“In addition to structural reinforcement, these interventions will focus mainly on thermal behavior and increased energy efficiency, reconciling the objectives of rational management of energy consumption, in accordance with the principles of energy efficiency, with the guarantee of comfort and health. of the building”, informs the academic institution.

The UAlg explains that the reformulation of the sanitary facilities in the three residences is also contemplated and that, in order to promote water efficiency, in addition to intervention in the water supply and wastewater drainage network, it is intended to replace the use of water by more efficient ones, with water savers in showers, sinks and faucets.

The statement also mentions that, in terms of social sustainability, one of the objectives is not only to promote “respect for the individuality of each resident, but also coexistence, with the adoption of shared spaces, such as the existence of a living room, study and dining room, promoting coexistence”.

According to figures from the institution, the UAlg currently has around 10,000 students, 20% of whom are international, coming from more than 90 nationalities, where Brazil stands out, the country with the greatest representation.