Economy
Industry
The pattern of industrialization of the North area is set in a logic much more disperse than hierarchical, with the domination of industries like textiles, shoes. In terms of national employment in the industry there is a balance between the areas of Oporto, Vila Nova de Gaia and Vila do Conde. The creation of houses is made along the basis of a "spontaneous logic", this means that there is a maximum use of the capacity of the transportation links.
Oporto-as a city elected a World Heritage city- and seeking a more solid international affirmation, has integrated since 1990 the main European cities network: Eurocities Association, Atlantic Cities, Euro-metropol club. In the last years 443 families have been re-lodged and 10 million contos have been invested in the recuperation of the historic center of Oporto.
The purchase power is an indicator of the per capita income- in Oporto it is 257 contos.
The 9 counties of the Metropolitan Area invested in 1997 97.7 million contos in social housing. The Town Council is going to spend 2.64 million contos in the cultural area. The Guerra Junqueiro Museum is finished, so is the Campo Alegre Theater (Teatro Campo Alegre) snd the Planetarium
In terns of industry Oporto can be proud to be home of some of the biggest companies of the country. 87 northern companies are among the 997 biggest companies of Portugal. These companies are dedicated to many industry branches and have high business transactions.
In the woods sector, The Association of Wood and Furniture Industries has nearly 1600 partners spread through 5 sectors. This Association is an organism that represents all the transformation industries of the woods sector; the AIPM-Association of Wooden Panels Industries; ANIM- National Association of Wood Industries; and the APCIM- Portuguese Association of Wood Commerce and Industry. The industry is one of the traditional sectors, that has over 5000 production units and represents 9% of jobs.
Commerce
To the already existing Shopping Centers/Malls (Brasilia, Dallas, Peninsula, Galiza, Cidade do Porto and Cristal Shoppings) join 4 new commercial references . In the last 2 years alone there have opened The Gaiashopping, Central Shopping, Vai Catarina Shopping, Arrabia Shopping, Maia Shopping and the last opens on the 22 October, Norte Shopping.
These new Shopping Centers give consumers a larger choice in services and stores. In one of those Shopping Centers you can chose one of 20 movies, shown daily, eat at one of its many restaurants and shop and the supermarkets that work inside them.