1.1. The concept of heritage has suffered considerable development since the middle of the 20th century until nowadays.

This development, which is particularly visible within the European cultural area, has, however, shown a trend towards worldwide generalization, due to the influence of institutions such as UNESCO.

Firstly, the trend is for its expansion to the whole range of cultural events, in which human activity is shown in the multiplicity of its facets and in its interactivity with the natural environment.

Secondly, and from a purely historical perspective, where the significance, specificity and greatness of buildings and objects was privileged while underestimating the links with its geographical and social surroundings, the concept of heritage in the modern sense, embraces, not just isolated monuments, but also, and mainly, urban settings, sites, natural and/or cultural landscapes, or still global terrains. This is the case, for instance, of the Higher Douro Wine Region or the Landscape of Wine Growing in Pico Island, both Portuguese sites which are registered in the list of World Heritage Sites since representative of a particular interactivity between nature and human labour.

1.2. As a consequence of this development of the concept of heritage, the areas classified tend towards expansion with, on the one hand, the historical centres of cities embracing a growing area compared to the urban periphery and, on the other, historical landscapes becoming institutionalized and protected as cultural landscapes.

All over Europe, the territories which are culturally classified or included in protected areas have been suffering significant growth.

1.3. The resulting situation requires that heritage be considered as a whole and demands policies agreed amongst various sectors, such as:

1. Culture
2. Urban management
3. Environment and Conservation of nature
4. Territorial Planning
5. Regional Development
6. Tourism

1.4. Due to current implications, a policy of defence, conservation and promotion of heritage must congregate efforts of various types.

1. Central authorities
2. Local authorities
3. The church, as the source of inspiration of various types of arts and holder, in Portugal, of an enormous variety of relevant classified assets
4. Schools, whilst privileged centres of patrimonial education
5. Enterprises, which, apart from not prejudicing common heritage in the course of their private activities, should also contribute towards its conservation
6. The people in general.

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