Urban-rural connections and development perspectives in Portugal

Portugal is characterized by a significant asymmetry in the population distribution/density and economic activity as well as in social and cultural dynamics. This means very diverse landscapes, differences in regional development, sustainability and quality of life, mainly between urban and rural areas. A consequence coherent with the contemporary dynamics: urbanization of many rural areas that loose their productive-agricultural identity and, simultaneously, the reintegration in urban areas of spaces and activities with more rural characteristics. In this process of increasing complexity of organization of the landscape is essential to restore the continuum naturale (between urban and rural areas) allowing closer links to both ways of life. A strategy supported in the landscape, which plays important functions for public interest, in the cultural, social, ecological and environmental fields. At the same time, constitutes an important resource for economic activity, as underlined in the European Landscape Convention. Based on this assumption, and using a multi-method approach, the study aims to analyse a) the links between urban and rural areas in Portugal and b) the reasons why these territories are chosen by individuals as places of work and mobility, residence or evasion, culture and leisure, tranquillity or excitement – meaning overall well-being. Primary information was obtained by a questionnaire survey applied to a convenience sample of the Portuguese population. Secondary data and information will be collected on the official Portuguese Statistics (INE and PORDATA). Understanding the urban-rural links is essential to support policy measures, take advantage from the global changes and challenge many of the existing myths.

Satisfação dos utilizadores de um serviço público: Caso: Direcção Regional de Mobilidade e Transportes do Alentejo

"A Administração Pública visa a prossecução do interesse público, no respeito pelos direitos e interesses legalmente protegidos dos Cidadãos" (art.º266 Constituição da República Portuguesa). Este estudo subordinado ao tema: "Satisfação dos utilizadores de um Serviço Público - Caso: Direcção Regional de Mobilidade e Transportes do Alentejo” centra-se na investigação, da satisfação e percepção do utilizador dos serviços, na sequência da sua utilização, como forma de satisfazer as suas necessidades. Esta investigação foi desenvolvida em duas partes, a primeira reflecte uma pesquisa teórica sobre a temática, objecto de estudo. A segunda, incidiu na análise e no tratamento dos dados, obtidos através de um questionário, distribuído aos utilizadores da D.R.M.T. Alentejo (Évora, Beja e Portalegre). /ABSTRACT: "The Government aims to further the public interest, while respecting the rights and legally protected interests of citizens" (Article 266 Constitution ofthe Portuguese). This study entitled "Users Satisfaction of a Public Service - Case: Regional Direction of Mobility and Transports of Alentejo" focuses on research, customer satisfaction and perception of the service user, following its use as a way to meet their needs. This research was conducted in two parts, the first reflects a theoretical research on the subject, the subject of study. The second, focused on analyzing and processing data, obtained through a questionnaire distributed to users.