Projects

Details: Last Updated: 22 June 2021

“A Palhinhas” is the brand name of the municipality of Santana that embodies the local built heritage and assumed as a real tribute to the greatest symbol of the autonomous region of Madeira: the thatched House.

Of friendly and cheerful countenance, “A Palhinhas” has become a true symbol among the younger ones, because it is also an active figure, which participates in the most important events in the municipality, dressing for the occasion.

Details: Last Updated: 18 June 2021

The Guide of Good Environmental Practices is intended as another tool to give substance to the commitments entered into by the Biosphere Reserve before the UNESCO MaB Committee.

In this sense it is intended, through the creation of this guide, to disclose to the population and organizations a series of behaviors that are aimed at the sustainability of their actions, viewing the individual contribution as a cornerstone for achieving the global changes we are proposing as a Biosphere Reserve.

Therefore, the Guide of good environmental practices will present practical tips for informed and responsible action that, when applied, will contribute significantly to the minimization of environmental impacts associated with human activity, particularly in the area of the Reserve.

Details: Last Updated: 18 June 2021

The Smart Biosphere project, currently under construction, corresponds to a platform SIG approved by UNESCO, which provides for the dissemination of a set of thematic and multidisciplinary information, as for example, geodiversity, biodiversity, ecosystems, environmental best practices (green economies), climate change (...), in order to warn and to raise awareness to the importance of sustainable development.

The “ShareIslands” project is a platform inserted into the “Smart Biosphere” project, framed as action in the worldwide network of Islands and coastal areas. The municipality of Santana, through the company Terra Cidade, leads a joint project with the Biosphere Reserve of “Fuerteventura”, the “El Hierro Biosphere” and the “Universidad de La Laguna”, which is the target of an application to the LIFE + ,for the three-year period 2013 to 2016.

Smart Biosphere Logo

Life+ 2012 application

The project includes the implementation of an innovative initiative with the aim of:

Solidify cooperation between the EU's Islands and coastal areas;
Develop a joint platform where are proposed good practice guides in each Member of the network;
Promotion of Biosphere Benchmarks of Excellence;
Promote GIS tools with strong orientation towards integrated strategic plan implementation;
Support locally, through acquired knowledge, the implementation of several windows of opportunities generated through the network;

Details: Last Updated: 18 June 2021

The municipality of Santana is part of a consortium of entities that intend to carry out a project called "Smartcities" (intelligent cities).

This project led by the University of Madeira, account in the region with the participation of two municipalities: Porto Moniz and Santana.

With the objective of increasing energy efficiency in urban environments the project aims to be an innovative and ambitious solution in terms of establishing integrated technology demonstration bases for their implementation: energy efficiency networks (electricity, heating and cooling), urban planning and deployment of low carbon technologies). It is intended further optimization of the power system of the local communities through research on validation and demonstration of new concepts and technologies for buildings, transport, services and industry.

List of Municipalities adhering to the project:

Details: Last Updated: 22 June 2021

The vast forest, the rocky mountain, the centenarian trees, the enigmatic waters and the historical events, formed the basis for the creation of legends and legendary characters, which have captivated a wide variety of readers and listeners.

These stories and essays, some newer than others, have been transmitted from generation to generation, as witness to the oral tradition, enriching the popular imagination.