LANDSCAPE AND HERITAGE AS STRATEGIC RESOURCES FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT. THE EXAMPLE OF THE LOUSÃ MOUNTAIN (CENTRAL PORTUGUESE

To accept that societies and geographical spaces are heterogeneous, fluid and complex, perhaps the principal features identifying post-modernity, is to acknowledge that no unique and uniform ways of reading, organizing and operating with regard to territories are emerging. The integration of rural spaces into global competitive dynamics, the achievement of social and territorial equity, the sustainable use of natural resources, innovation and creativity are the strategic guidelines that indicate a new view of these territories. Heritage and landscape are part of the affirmation of cultural values in the development process. After identifying the “Serra da Lousã ” (Lousã Mountain) problems and potentialities, we shall present the news strategies includes actions and intervention projects for all the agents involved in development at local level, focusing particularly on enhancing heritage resources (in the broad spectrum of both natural and cultural dimensions). These should aim to rationalize the financial resources entailed, to reconcile the economic, social, cultural and environmental facets, to strengthen the image and identity of the rural territories, to affirm sustainable tourist activity and to improve the living conditions of the mountain-dwelling population