Version 1
: Received: 10 July 2023 / Approved: 10 July 2023 / Online: 10 July 2023 (12:08:43 CEST)
How to cite:
Osorio García de Oteyza, M.; Gutierrez Sanchis, A.; Conde Lopez, J. The Problem of Rural Depopulation in Spain. Towards a Sustainable, Person-Centred Model of Repopulation. Preprints2023, 2023070631. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.0631.v1
Osorio García de Oteyza, M.; Gutierrez Sanchis, A.; Conde Lopez, J. The Problem of Rural Depopulation in Spain. Towards a Sustainable, Person-Centred Model of Repopulation. Preprints 2023, 2023070631. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.0631.v1
Osorio García de Oteyza, M.; Gutierrez Sanchis, A.; Conde Lopez, J. The Problem of Rural Depopulation in Spain. Towards a Sustainable, Person-Centred Model of Repopulation. Preprints2023, 2023070631. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.0631.v1
APA Style
Osorio García de Oteyza, M., Gutierrez Sanchis, A., & Conde Lopez, J. (2023). The Problem of Rural Depopulation in Spain. Towards a Sustainable, Person-Centred Model of Repopulation. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.0631.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Osorio García de Oteyza, M., Ana Gutierrez Sanchis and Jorge Conde Lopez. 2023 "The Problem of Rural Depopulation in Spain. Towards a Sustainable, Person-Centred Model of Repopulation" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202307.0631.v1
Abstract
For the first time in human history the majority of people no longer live in a rural environment. According to the United Nations, over 50% of the global population now lives in cities.
The abandonment of the rural environment has grave consequences for society in general, as these areas are healthier places to live, produce the food we all depend on, and are an important factor for preserving biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
In this paper we will provide a historical overview of rural repopulation models and analyse a number of models currently being applied in several countries in Europe and Latin America. We will also offer observations on a pilot repopulation project called “Habita Tierra” currently being developed.
The common characteristics of different repopulation models prompted us to develop a model based on active listening and accompaniment of people and local agents as well as other important factors.
Rural depopulation in Spain involves a number of interrelated problems, one of the most salient being the aging rural population. The average farmer in Spain is 61 years of age. There is also the problem of gender imbalance in rural areas, where women enjoy few opportunities or alternatives. In turn, low fertility rates, increasing stress on limited public healthcare, education and transpor-tation resources, a lack of cultural activities and poor connectivity are also factors driving rural depopulation.
The only group which is increasing the rural areas in Spain are immigrants, who now account for 10% of the rural population, often performing the agricultural, fishing and livestock farming ac-tivities abandoned by native residents. This group, along with young people, and women of all ages and the programs which support them may offer a solution to the challenge of depopulation.
The paper concludes with a list of the key features of successful repopulation programs, drawn from a comparison of historic and contemporary models.
Social Sciences, Geography, Planning and Development
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
