The Map-Property project explores the issue of urban property, its geographical distribution, and the power dynamics associated with it. These topics have long been central to political economy, but despite sustained interest, knowledge of property structures remains limited. In recent years, the subject has gained renewed attention, driven by the surge of investment in the real estate market following the 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless, significant gaps remain in mapping urban ownership structures — including identifying who invests, where, and for what purpose. This project seeks to address these empirical and methodological gaps by drawing on Portugal’s land registry to investigate links between property ownership and urban change in central Lisbon. The research focuses on three main questions: who owns property, how ownership patterns have evolved over time, and how these dynamics relate to vacant buildings and short-term rentals.

The project will be carried out by a team of geographers, urban planners, and sociologists with substantial experience in housing studies, financialization, short-term rentals, and real estate investment strategies. The project also has an advisory group made up of renowned national and international scholars.

The Map-Property project (2023.11273.PEX) is funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and runs for one and a half years, from 1st January 2025 to 30th June 2026.