The Project

WHAT IS THE VILA DIGITAL COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD?

It is a modern, sustainable, and connected commercial ecosystem located in the historic center of Torres Novas.

The project, developed within the scope of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) by the consortium consisting of the Municipality of Torres Novas, ADIRN, and NERSANT, is an initiative aimed at boosting traditional commerce through technology and business digitalization, supporting and empowering merchants for this new challenge.

The Vila Digital Commercial Neighborhood arises from the connection between tradition and innovation.

The word “Vila” recalls the past full of memories and the vitality that the historic center of Torres Novas has always had. Today, we want to breathe new life into local commerce through digital solutions and innovative technologies, creating different consumer experiences and bringing merchants, residents, and visitors closer together.

The Vila Digital Neighborhood intends to transform the historic city center of Torres Novas into an “open-air shopping center,” modernizing the urban area through digital transformation to revitalize traditional and local commerce.

WHAT IS THE MISSION?

The mission of Vila Digital Neighborhood is to value the identity of Torres Novas and promote local commerce, making it more modern, sustainable, and connected. This initiative seeks to improve the quality of life for the community and create innovative experiences for everyone who lives in and visits the city.

This project integrates about 200 merchants, represents an investment of 700 thousand euros, covers 31 streets in the historic center, and extends over an area of 320,000 m², transforming local commerce into a more dynamic, accessible, and future-ready space.

WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF INTERVENTION?

1. Creating synergies between merchants, the Municipality, and Consortium members to develop and enhance the “Vila” Digital Commercial Neighborhood
2. Physical and digital revitalization of traditional commerce in the center of Torres Novas, making it attractive to residents, visitors, and investors
3. Promoting environmental, social, and financial sustainability in the area of the “Vila” Digital Commercial Neighborhood

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES?

• Promote and encourage the digital transformation and modernization of local commerce
• Make local commerce more competitive in relation to its global and digital competition
• Increase the vitality and attractiveness of the historic center of Torres Novas
• Promote the unique and identity products of Torres Novas
• Promote and encourage more sustainable urban development
• Foster economic growth, increasing the revenue potential
• Create and reinforce the visibility of “Vila” to attract and retain the public

WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIC PILLARS OF INNOVATION?

• “Vila” signage, Digital Neighborhood in all participating commercial spaces
• Digital Totems to mark the entrance to the Neighborhood and provide useful information
• Digital Billboards for a modern interface and access to information
• Digital Led Flags to facilitate circulation and promote the Neighborhood
• Smart Urban Furniture for free mobile phone charging
• Smart Irrigation to help save resources and protect the environment
• Free WIFI throughout the Neighborhood area
• Marketplace and website, new simple and intuitive channels to promote, buy, and sell online
• Digital Lockers for practical, secure, and flexible parcel delivery and collection
• Parking Monitoring to facilitate the search for parking spots in the Neighborhood
• Virtual visit platform with augmented reality for an immersive experience in the Neighborhood
• Geoanalytics system for counting people and cars within the Neighborhood
• Social Networks to promote the Neighborhood and generate new dynamics

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

• Connect merchants, residents, and visitors through new interactive and modern experiences
• Support merchants to promote their spaces and products or services through new digital technologies
• Create a new channel for selling products or services online (e-commerce) to reach a broader audience
• Provide greater convenience for all residents and visitors when accessing local commerce
• Promote technological solutions that create value for everyone
• Create initiatives and dynamics to attract the greatest number of visitors to the Neighborhood
• Contribute to city modernization through digital transition and also contribute to the development of a smart territory