The Gerês-Xurês Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (RBTGX), declared by UNESCO in 2009, is characterized by unique landscapes, authentic ethnographic elements, and living ancestral practices. In this context, the Roman road (Geira Romana) crosses its entire territory and could become a fundamental asset for a development strategy in this sparsely populated, predominantly mountainous area marked by significant depopulation. This project is essential for cementing the articulation between different scientific perspectives on the same territory, focusing on the Roman road and the villages undergoing depopulation, but possessing profound patrimonial, environmental, cultural, and social richness. Its exploratory nature will allow for the development of a holistic approach, based on the singularities of each researcher (Geography, Architecture, Geology, History and Civil Engineering), promoting the creation of a local and regional network of partners and identifying key research opportunities to meet the requirements of upcoming calls for proposals, specifically the POCTEP program.

The Roman road (Via Nova) will be analyzed as an integrating element of a tourism-based strategy that crosses the entire territory of the RBTGX (Rede de Turismo e Turismo de Xira), from Braga to Astorga. Associated with this asset, the territory is also marked by the dispersion of various villages, where community spirit and local associations seek to keep their traditions, architectural features, and unique ways of life alive. As an example, we highlight the bread route in the village of Puxedo, municipality of Lobios.

It is fundamental to boost cooperation between residents, visitors, and local agents in an integrated and participatory way to identify opportunities and design lines of action. Its articulation with the unique practices and characteristics of the various villages in the territory, which are being challenged due to accelerated depopulation and the contraction of economic activity, can leverage them. This project aims to address this need by intervening on three levels, encompassing the physical space, the digital space, and the articulation between the two.