At a decisive moment for Portugal’s construction sector, marked by structural challenges but also transformative opportunities, Diogo Abecasis, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of MAP Group, appeared as a guest on Conversas a Metro, a podcast produced by Jornal Económico’s Real Estate Observatory.
With innovation at the heart of the debate, Abecasis emphasised the urgent need for a transition to more efficient, technological and sustainable construction methods. These methods are capable of responding to labour shortages, long deadlines and the growing demand for quality.
This episode follows Jornal de Negócios’s emphasis on the importance of modular construction in a sector still dominated by traditional processes, reinforcing the role of innovation as the inevitable path to the future.
THE THEMES SHAPING THE INDUSTRY AND THE COUNTRY
During the conversation, Diogo Abecasis analysed some of the main measures under discussion in the housing sector, such as reducing VAT on construction. This topic was also highlighted during Porto’s Urban Rehabilitation Week. He also emphasised the importance of regulatory stability in order to inspire confidence among investors and developers and prevent projects from being suspended during periods of uncertainty.
The leader of the MAP Group emphasised the positive impact that retroactively applying the measure to the September 2025 announcement could have on the sector, as this would allow investments to be unlocked without compromising strategic decisions.
PORTUGAL BUILDING FOR ALL FAMILIES
With over 1,000 homes currently under construction, the MAP Group continues to grow steadily through its operating units, such as MAP Engenharia e Construção, MAP Spaces, VILLAS and MAP Property Services. The group is taking an active role in developing solutions for different market segments, including:
INNOVATION THAT IS ALREADY PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE AT THE MAP GROUP
The conversation also addressed technological developments in the sector, where modular construction, offsite manufacturing, automation, prefabricated solutions and robotisation are becoming increasingly prevalent. At the MAP Group, this transition is already happening.
Diogo Abecasis explained that the group is developing protocols for wooden, concrete and hybrid structural constructions that reduce costs, timeframes and labour requirements. He also emphasised the importance of overcoming resistance to change.
Listen to the full interview from Conversas a Metro on Jornal de Negócios.
