Cumieira is a small village in the vicinity of the town of Vila Real. While the whole region counts as low-density territory according to the prevalent categorisation of Portuguese territories, Cumieira has the advantage of both realities. It is located close to a relatively big urban centre with developed infrastructure and it also managed to maintain the serenity of a small village with spectacular surroundings. This duality was exactly the reason why CETRAD’s team turned to study the quality of life of the local residents there. CETRAD’s latest project, the Well-being Barometer of Low-density Territories, aims to understand and map the benefits and challenges of people living in the various types of low-density areas, where the different areas have different characteristics and offer different quality of life.
The public discussion was organised in a familiar setting of Come na 2, the lively community centre of Cumieira, on the 3rd of December to collect the views of the local residents. Beyond understanding their current reality, CETRAD researchers also explored how they see their future in this place, and what they hope to pass down to the next generations.
The local participants, over 60 people, were excited to tell their stories of the past and share their hopes and fears for the future. Beyond hearing and analysing their narratives, the local atmosphere, the connection between neighbours, their hospitality, and their pride in their home village were valuable inputs for the research. As this atmosphere is exactly what CETRAD’s project, the Well-being Barometer of Low-density Territories, aims to understand and appraise.
For further publications on this event click here, here and here.
