The role of housing in the revitalisation of rural areas in a condition of demographic decline. Identification of Good Practices in Spain

Abstract

In recent years, the focus at European and national levels has been on addressing the problems and challenges faced by rural areas in a condition of a demographic decline: the first Rural Pact Conference was held in June 2022, bringing together EU, national and regional politicians, local authorities, social and economic actors, to adopt commitments aimed at advancing the definition of a long-term vision for the revitalisation of rural areas. At national level, the General Guidelines for a National Strategy to face the demographic challenge were approved as early as 2019; subsequently, in March 2021, the Plan of Measures for the Demographic Challenge was published, which includes specific measures for rural areas in demographic decline. Although these measures recognise to some extent the importance of housing for the revitalisation of these areas, there is a lack of sufficiently in-depth knowledge on this issue, as well as a weak link with the other objectives of the Demographic Challenge and a consequent lack of specific instruments to address these situations, even within the framework of the housing policies generated to date.

Thus, through the identification and study of initiatives that are being developed at national level on these issues, the aim is to demonstrate not only that the housing axis is key to guaranteeing the establishment of or creation of new jobs, but also that it is a key element of the Demographic Challenge.