What periurbanity is?

There is no definition of Peri Urbanity that everybody agrees. Peri Urban areas are more an intellectual concept than a geographically defined area, because they are in a permanent evolution caused by the constant spreading of the urban areas and they have no clear limits.

We can define Peri Urban areas as buffers between two entities that are cities and rural spaces, defined by their different behaviours. In those buffers, those two entities are forced to live together and decide about their future. People from those two entities have different backgrounds which reflect on their values and because they are forced to cohabitate they have to reconsider their perspectives.

For example, the newcomer who was dreaming of fresh air, friendly people and tranquillity will be disappointed with the smell of the fresh manure, the apprehensive reception of the farmers and the nocturnal sounds of the crickets or frogs. On the other hand, we could consider the native hope that more life, services (schools, pharmacies, shops, etc.) would come to his neighbourhood and what he gets is a dormitory village which has little social life, the newcomers do their shopping in the suburban when they are returning home and can even take their children to school in the city… so, he does not get anything that he wanted, except for tall buildings!?

 Ricardo Borges, Nelson Santos, Vanda Carvalho, Julien Ronzon, Frederico Quintela