The Government of the Azores, in compliance with national and regional legislation, published today in the Official Journal the notice of written hearing on the process concerning the possible public interest classification of the so-called "Santa Maria Airport Neighbourhood" in Vila do Porto.

According to the notice posted at the Vila do Porto Town Hall and Village Council, interested parties have a period of eight days to "state their opinion" regarding the area to be classified. It includes, among other buildings, the old Airport Cinema and Asas do Atlântico Radio.

The "Airport Neighbourhood" is a small "garden city" that was characteristic of the international modern urban planning in the mid-20th century. It was built following the construction of the emergency airport facilities by the USA between 1944 and 1946 to support the wide airstrip and the intense military air traffic involved in the War in Europe and, especially, in the Atlantic.

The urban planning of the neighbourhood was implemented in a similar manner to the old town of Vila do Porto, with a similar orientation and an essentially linear structure, although the latter is more complex than the old town.