Project Description

This project was part of an INTERREG IIIB - Transnational Cooperation Initiative. Transnational cooperation involving national, regional and local authorities aims to promote better integration within the Union through the creation of large groups of European regions. Transnational cooperation programmes follow the recommendations of the ESDP (European Spatial Development Perspective) to encourage a sustainable and balanced development of the European territory. Strand B provides opportunities for promoting research and cooperation between groups of regions facing common problems, such as World Heritage Sites.

The ATLANTE Project seeked to find new ways of economic development that can make historic centres as attractive for city residents as other areas without their regulatory constraints. Furthermore, this project aimed to enhance the resident's quality of life, their economic standard and the overall quality of tourist development. The ATLANTE Project partners were the following: Câmara Municipal do Porto; Câmara Municipal de Angra do Heroísmo; Câmara Municipal de Évora; Câmara Municipal de Guimarães, Concello de Lugo, Concello de Santiago de Compostela, Associação Eixo Atlântico do Noroeste Peninsular; and Gabinete da Zona Classificada de Angra do Heroísmo.

This research project intended to provide an innovative and practical outcome, within the scope of world heritage and historical centres management, geared, in particular, towards the redefinition of the municipal management duties. In parallel, it also defined the role and extent of the different stakeholders implicated in historic centres, specifying and defining action areas, as well as alternative institutional and financial solutions.

Research Team

• Paulo Pinho ( coordinator)
• Sílvia Ávila de Sousa

Financial Support

• INTERREG IIIB - Transnational Cooperation, Espaço Atlântico / European Regional Development Fund

Stage of Progress

• Concluded in 2005