The persistence of rural duality and the value of the new rurality in Castile and Leon (Spain)

Abstract

Castile and Leon is a typical region of Europe’s deep rural territories. With nearly 95,000 km2 and only 2.5 million inhabitants, it is characterized by a low population density, an aging population, demographic regression and the predominance of rural areas. Approximately half of the population is rural and only 7% work in agriculture, although this percentage can be as high as 80% or even 100% in many small rural communities. The current settlement pattern, which is clearly dysfunctional, consists of a high number of population centres, which is far higher than that expected for the number of residents. Many of these villages have not disappeared altogether thanks to the renovation of properties and the construction of new houses encouraged by the (scarce) arrival of new dwellers and the (massive) influx of temporary residents. However, there is an obvious rural duality between the peri-urban areas and the rest of the territory.

Keywords

• dualidad rural
• nueva ruralidad
• nuevos usos residenciales
• castilla y león