Territórios disfuncionais. A oportunidade deixada pela desruralização

Abstract

This paper focuses on what we consider a new urban condition, generally verifiable in the northwest of Portugal, marked by the phenomena of extensive urbanization and deruralization. The latter phenomenon corresponds to the loss of rural characteristics of the territory, resulting, among other factors, the decreasing of the economic burden associated with agricultural activity and, consequently, the increasing abandonment of areas that fits its support. In these not built areas (tending not to be buildable), formerly used for agriculture, but currently without any significant use or activity, assign the definition of dysfunctional territories. The delineating of constraints and potentials underlying these territories and how they can set up opportunities for intervention are the central themes of this work. By the significant extension/recurrence of these territories in dysfunction (partly justified by the passivity of planning systems), it highlights the need to rethink the ability of these to support new occupations. In this context, the ecological argument, supported on the need for conservation of biophysical qualities of these spaces and on the development of practices that may enhance them, can work as an important tool for political legitimation able to promote streamlining of processes of action and generate a positive reception thereof by the general population. It explores the possibility of promoting collective use of such spaces (supporting leisure practices and not only) seeking its functional reactivation and, simultaneously, developing alternative models for their management.