Over the last few decades, many authors have discussed about the expected rural development model for these areas. This debate arises as a consequence of the transformations occurring in the rural areas caused by the decreasing importance of the agriculture sector and the search for alternative economic activities. In consideration of these facts, there is a growing interest in question the long term development strategy and what component elements can enhance and improve this change. The landscape multifunctionality, the activities diversification in rural areas and the holistic approach to management are considered as the better strategy for rural areas. To follow the proposed approach it is necessary to know the landscape and its uniqueness, and develop a quality marketing that defends and benefits the local values of the region. In the present time, the reconciliation of agriculture with other activities in the same region (handcraft, tourism, environmental activities, gastronomy) has a growing importance in an economical scenario less dependent of agriculture. In this project, the themes addressed are related with the multifunctionality of landscape, particularly with agriculture, for its importance over the centuries in typifying the rural region. As an example, we focused on the montado, characteristic from the Mediterranean, as a multifunctional landscape. Moreover, the concept of Development was explored, firstly in general terms and after applied to the Rural context, discussing its appearance in the political panorama, its evolution and contemporary perception. It was pointed out new approaches to development that deviate from the relation between development and economic growth and come close to a social view. Moreover, it is also addressed here the rural patrimony (material and non-material) that characterize the rural areas, and also the reasons that justify its conservation and how this can act as a motor of development. Finally, the principles of multifunctional management of landscape and its relation with rural development are applied to a property in Aljezur occupied by montado and ancient agriculture fields.

Mestrado em Arquitectura Paisagista - Instituto Superior de Agronomia