Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research focuses on analyzing the contribution of Portuguese culture and its influence on the organization of space at the Geographic Microregion of Cruz Alta-RS, investigating the social development in the course of its evolutionary process linked to the spatio-temporal dynamics by cultural bias. As hasintrinsic goals of this research are: (a) analyze the process of settlement at the Geographic Microregion of Cruz Alta by Portuguese culture, identifying key milestones that resulted in the temporal and spatial reorganization in cultural transformations and (b) identify the major cultural codes Portuguese on the landscape expressed in the analyses of the Microregion which are responsible for the identification process of this social group. To achieve the proposed objectives were used bibliographies relating to the subject in question, data from secondary sources and field work. Later, it was the data analysis and final draft of the dissertation. As a result, this research found that the inclusion of material and immaterial codes of Portuguese ethnicity has not been effected only with the arrival of immigrants from Portugal, but by the Luso-Brazilian settlement and Azorean colonization in the Geographic Micoregion of Cruz Alta, if consolidated as a Lusitanian cultural matrix. It should be noted, also, that this study allowed to state that its culture, regard to the manifestation of its material and immaterial culture presents itself today as absent in the landscape of MRG 011, with the exception of Cruz Alta, which still manifests the peculiarities of this ethnic group. It is evident that this research is part of the concerns relating to Cultural Geography, seeking to relate culture and space in an interdisciplinary way. / Esta pesquisa tem como foco central analisar a contribuição da cultura portuguesa e sua influência na organização do espaço da Microrregião Geográfica de Cruz Alta RS, investigando o desenvolvimento social no decorrer do seu processo evolutivo ligado à dinâmica espaço-temporal pelo viés cultural. Como objetivos intrínsecos a pesquisa tem-se: (a) Analisar o processo de povoamento da Microrregião Geográfica de Cruz Alta pela cultura portuguesa, identificando os principais marcos temporais que resultaram na reorganização espacial e nas transformações culturais e (b) Identificar os principais códigos culturais portugueses expressos na paisagem da Microrregião em análise os quais são responsáveis pelo processo de identificação deste grupo social. Para atingir os objetivos propostos foram utilizadas bibliografias referentes à temática em questão, dados de fontes secundarias e do trabalho de campo. Posteriormente, fezse a análise dos dados e a redação final da dissertação. Como resultados, esta investigação verificou que a inserção de códigos materiais e imateriais da etnia portuguesa não foi efetivada, somente, com a chegada de imigrantes vindos de Portugal, mas mediante o povoamento luso-brasileiro e a colonização açoriana na Microrregião Geográfica de Cruz Alta, se consolidando como uma matriz cultural lusa. Ressalta-se, também, que este estudo permitiu afirmar que a cultura lusa, no que se refere à manifestação material e imaterial de sua cultura apresenta-se, atualmente, como ausente na paisagem da MRG 011, com exceção do município de Cruz Alta, o qual ainda manifesta as singularidades desta etnia. Evidencia-se que esta pesquisa insere-se nas preocupações referentes à Geografia Cultural, procurando relacionar cultura e espaço de forma interdisciplinar.

This thesis explores the contributive role of architecture to the prosperity of a place. The research addresses the challenges and opportunities that rural regions face today by analyzing the general factors of marginalized rural communities through the lens of a specific community in mainland Portugal. A new approach for maintaining an authentic character, and a “sense of place” is presented which defends rural space as a genuinely experiential realm. The thesis proposes the design of a modern day treatment and research centre in the rural town of Manteigas, situated on one of the largest glacier valleys in Europe in the heart of the Serra da Estrela mountain range. Once alive with all the quaint characteristics that typify an idyllic rural identity, this town now faces a steep population decrease. Situated in the centre of the Zêzere glacial valley overlooking the town, the design accepts and interprets the natural geology of the site, harnessing the therapeutic thermal waters that continue to flow from the glacier line of the valley. The new centre represents not just a place for leisure and relaxation, but also an investigative laboratory for modern day natural healing therapies. The town of Manteigas is situated within three very distinct landscapes: a fertile landscape, a socio-cultural landscape, and a landscape of health and wellness. The design intervention responds to all these conditions and is dependent on each in its operation. This thesis is a proposal for a sustainable cycle of local and regional rejuvenation that will not be easily broken. The design proposal aims to build an infrastructure that will revive the identity of the community as a place of study and implementation of natural healing. The proposed design will also act as a catalyst to fuel future development and stimulate the local and regional economies.

This thesis explores the contributive role of architecture to the prosperity of a place. The research addresses the challenges and opportunities that rural regions face today by analyzing the general factors of marginalized rural communities through the lens of a specific community in mainland Portugal. A new approach for maintaining an authentic character, and a “sense of place” is presented which defends rural space as a genuinely experiential realm. The thesis proposes the design of a modern day treatment and research centre in the rural town of Manteigas, situated on one of the largest glacier valleys in Europe in the heart of the Serra da Estrela mountain range. Once alive with all the quaint characteristics that typify an idyllic rural identity, this town now faces a steep population decrease. Situated in the centre of the Zêzere glacial valley overlooking the town, the design accepts and interprets the natural geology of the site, harnessing the therapeutic thermal waters that continue to flow from the glacier line of the valley. The new centre represents not just a place for leisure and relaxation, but also an investigative laboratory for modern day natural healing therapies. The town of Manteigas is situated within three very distinct landscapes: a fertile landscape, a socio-cultural landscape, and a landscape of health and wellness. The design intervention responds to all these conditions and is dependent on each in its operation. This thesis is a proposal for a sustainable cycle of local and regional rejuvenation that will not be easily broken. The design proposal aims to build an infrastructure that will revive the identity of the community as a place of study and implementation of natural healing. The proposed design will also act as a catalyst to fuel future development and stimulate the local and regional economies.