Centre for Intercultural Studies - CEI, ISCAP-P.PORTO

Cultural rehabilitation projects are vital in fostering social, economic, and
sustainable development within local territories and communities. This presentation
analyses a project that involves the recovery and preservation of two specific Portuguese
cases of traditional cultural heritage: forest guard houses and primary schools. Nowadays,
most of these structures stand largely abandoned and deteriorated. However, they hold
immense potential for revitalization, fostering a transformative and multidimensional
dialogue between culture, nature, and sustainability.
Forest guards’ houses played an important role in the protection and conservation
of forest areas in Portugal, providing suitable conditions for forest rangers and their
families to live full-time within the forest. Primary schools of the Centenaries Plan, with
their typical architecture, were a trademark of the country, with at least one exemplar in
nearly every village. Although these buildings no longer fulfil their original functions,
some have been successfully reused as social and cultural organizations, proving their adaptability to contemporary needs.
By proposing new, sustainable, and community-oriented uses for these buildings,
this project seeks to build upon such initiatives with a focus on two specific Portuguese
regions: Serra da Estrela and Sever do Vouga. These territories represent Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES), where identity and collective memory are shaped by human-
nature interactions. The project intends to establish community hubs within rehabilitated
buildings, allowing residents and visitors to engage in traditional, often forgotten and
marginalized, activities such as cheesemaking, pastoralism, wool production, pottery, and
sustainable agriculture, among many other activities, which promote community
involvement, knowledge sharing, and the reinforcement of the local identity.
Additionally, one of the key elements of the project is environmental
sustainability. The rehabilitation process will include the use of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, and waste management strategies, ensuring long-term
environmental and social sustainability. The project aims to allocate profits towards the
restoration of nearby fauna and flora, addressing the harmful effects of deforestation,
introduction of non-native species, wildfires, and pollution. The promotion of
biodiversity and landscape conservation will contribute to a more resilient and
ecologically balanced environment.
The project will collaborate with various stakeholders, from the local community,
and local, regional, and national governments, to local organizations, cultural groups, and
schools. In addition, this engagement and shared responsibility will enhance the
effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts, helping to address the physical, emotional, and
social aspects involved in the process with more effective outcomes. By bringing together
cultural and political institutions, educational organizations, and environmental groups,
the project can better align with the needs and aspirations of communities.
In conclusion, the project focuses on the preservation and promotion of cultural
heritage aligning with the restoration of nature. It recognizes the potential of abandoned
history and a greener future. It offers a cultural experience and activities that connect
visitors with local traditions, nature, and artistic expressions. By preserving and sharing
the cultural and natural heritage, the project contributes to the creation of dynamic
Cultural Ecosystem Services, working as a gateway to Portugal’s hidden history while
fostering sustainability for future generations.