Abandoned villages and related geographic and landscape context: guidelines to natural and cultural heritage conservation and multifunctional valorization

Abandoned villages, particularly those with cultural and natural heritage value, pose significant challenges for conservation and revitalization. This study identifies key factors contributing to rural abandonment in Portugal, such as economic shifts and declining quality of life, while highlighting the potential for multifunctional valorization through agro-reconversion and tourism. The research focuses on Broas, a deserted village near Sintra, analyzing its geographic and landscape context to propose sustainable strategies for heritage conservation. These include developing interpretation centers, eco-museums, or repurposing buildings for tourism, with an emphasis on creating economic opportunities that support new inhabitants while preserving both cultural and natural assets.

Filipe, M., & de Mascarenhas, J. (2011). Abandoned villages and related geographic and landscape context: guidelines to natural and cultural heritage conservation and multifunctional valorization. European Countryside, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.2478/v10091-011-0002-3