Researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and Universidad de Cádiz (UCA) have carried out a study aimed at understanding and addressing the problem of rural depopulation. To tackle this issue, the researchers propose an approach in which the set of policies, regulations and strategies that organize urban and rural development are integrated into the design of local development policies.
Rural depopulation is a phenomenon that threatens the sustainability of many communities in Spain and affects both the socio-economic fabric and environmental balance of the country. “Spatial planning cannot be partial or sectorial, but must be strategic, comprehensive and executive,” explains Juan Antonio Lobato Becerra, a doctoral student in Law at UC3M and author of the study together with María del Carmen Pérez González, from the University of Cádiz. “Only through a holistic approach, which integrates demographic, economic and urban planning factors, will it be possible to design and implement effective measures”, adds the researcher.
Strengthening the business sector, improving infrastructure, promoting economic diversification, preserving heritage, sustainably managing natural resources, promoting services and trade, as well as managing the attraction attraction of the population that may arrive in certain territories are circumstances that the authors believe must be taken into account in spatial and urban planning to combat depopulation.
The researchers have found that municipalities with up-to-date and well-structured urban planning strategies have a greater chance of curbing population loss and even reversing it. For example, the average population growth in municipalities with up-to-date planning is 10%, compared to a decrease of 18% to 28% in those without. This highlights the need for spatial planning to play a central role in rural development policies, ensuring sustainable solutions tailored to each local context.
To overcome the limitations of traditional plans and move towards sustainable solutions with a real impact on the affected areas, the study concludes that non-binding plans must be converted into regulatory instruments, in addition to encouraging the structured participation of stakeholders by having them periodically evaluate these measures in order to adjust policies.
The conclusions drawn from the study could have a major impact on the formulation of future public policies, as well as helping to improve the quality of life in rural areas, attract new residents, promote economic activity and prevent the disappearance of municipalities with high heritage, cultural and environmental value.
A holistic perspective: the key to curbing depopulation
To carry out the research, published in the Journal of Urban Planning and Development, the authors approached depopulation from a cross-cutting perspective, analysing not only its demographic and economic dimension, but also the impact of spatial planning. “This multidisciplinary approach not only provides a better understanding of the phenomenon, but also provides practical tools for policy makers to design more effective strategies and highlights how important it is for spatial development policies to be not only strategic, but also enforceable and binding, ensuring their real and effective implementation in the affected areas,” says Juan Antonio Lobato.
The authors used different methodologies during the research in order to analyse depopulation from multiple perspectives. “We combined quantitative analysis of demographic, economic and spatial data with a qualitative approach based on case studies,” explains María del Carmen Pérez González, of the UCA.
In addition, the researchers used the Digital Atlas of Urban Areas, a tool created by the Spanish Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, to which the General Secretariat for the Demographic Challenge is attached. This enabled them to visualize demographic, economic and urban trends, obtaining a more accurate assessment of the municipalities at risk of depopulation. Furthermore, the constant updating of the data on this platform makes it possible to track the evolution of the problem over time, turning the research into a living diagnostic tool.
Bibliographic reference: Lobato Becerra, J. A. and Pérez González, M. C. (2024). Toward a more integrated approach to planning and implementing local development policies to tackle rural depopulation in empty Spain. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, Volume 151, Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.1061/JUPDDM.UPENG-4604
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