[5] The Plano Integrado para o Desenvolvimento para o Distrito de Setúbal (PIDDS) which was elaborated in the 1980s by the Associação de Municípios do Distrito de Setúbal (Association of Municipalities of the District of Setúbal), constituted the first development plan for the district, and envisioned a series of measures that were essential for the ambitious plans of its inhabitants.

[5] In 2000, under the initiatives of the Association of Municipalities (today AMRS; Associação de Municípios da Região de Setúbal), established a formal Strategic Plan for Development (Plano Estratégico para o Desenvolvimento da Península de Setúbal), or PEDEPES, with the slogan Mais Desenvolvimento, melhor Futuro (More development, better future).

[5] The development of the PEDEPES involved the participation and consensus of 239 entities in and the Strategic plan continues to be a fundamental instrument in the regional intervention process.

They include: Although the cities of Portugal have no political stature, for social and economic purposes they form as distinct centres of urban activity.

The region of the Peninsula of Setúbal include several large centres, including Almada, Setúbal, Amora, Barreiro, Seixal, Montijo and Costa da Caparica, in addition to the larger towns of Sesimbra, Moita, Palmela, Alcochete, Corroios, Pinhal Novo, Monte da Caparica, Charneca da Caparica, Trafaria, Lavradio and Baixa da Banheira.