The project never reached completion, construction was left unfinished, and the Cape Verdean state has reclaimed the space, which it now wants to put to a new use — including the islet of Santa Maria — according to an announcement published by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing.
The first prize will receive 800,000 escudos (€7,200), with 600,000 escudos (€5,400) going to second place and 400,000 escudos (€3,600) to third, with up to two honourable mentions worth 100,000 escudos (€900) each also available.
The competition is open to all Cape Verdean citizens, whether residing in the archipelago or in the diaspora. Proposals can be submitted until mid-April, and those selected will be subject to a public exhibition and consultation.
The announcement states that the competition aims to “underpin future public policy and spatial planning decisions” and promote “a governance model grounded in transparency, participation and the primacy of the public interest.”
The goal is to “enhance the environmental, historical, scientific, symbolic and cultural dimensions of the islet of Santa Maria.”
