Demographic Challenges in Rural Europe and Cases of Resilience Based on Cultural Heritage Management. A Comparative Analysis in Mediterranean Countries Inner Regions

Abstract

The project Cultrural+ (an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership project in the field of Adult Education) is funding research and education to deal with major demographic challenges in some regions of the participant countries (Extremadura in Spain, Tràsos-Montes in Portugal, Central Massif in France, Thessaly in Greece and province of Latina in Italy). The paper will discuss the particular problems that European depopulated areas are facing and how cultural heritage and cultural tourism could act as resilience factors. Research is showing that though the different countries’ regions face similar demographic challenges, strategies and planned actions are different. The levels and indicators to measure and understand depopulation processes are also diverse, as are the levels of actualization of the data in each country. International comparative interdisciplinary research allows transfer of best practices cases and models as the “learning territories” and to deepen in the analysis and prospection of the socio-cultural major changes that are affecting the European countryside. This paper analyses the criteria that can help evaluate and acknowledge best practices.

Identifying the natural and anthropogenic factors influencing the spatial disparity of population hollowing in traditional villages within a prefecture-level city

“…Further, the degree of intangible cultural inheritance may affect the PRP from the perspective of village identity. A low level of intangible cultural inheritance may weaken the social network, community associations, and the residents’ sense of belonging to the village [ 11 , 46 ]. This is consistent with the American rural studies, showing that community cultural attachment has an important impact on residents’ willingness to leave [ 23 ].…”

“…High-speed rail makes it convenient for villagers to go to cities for work [ 18 ]. The inheritance of tangible and intangible culture may increase the resistance of depopulated rural areas [ 18 , 46 ]. Based on these factors related to population hollowing and migration in villages, as well as considering the feasibility of data information collection, this study built the influencing factor framework from nature and anthropogenic aspects, selected 15 indexes, and defined their measurement ( Table 1 ).…”

Culture-Based Practices as Driver of Local Development Processes in Mountain Areas—Evidence from the Alpine Region of the Province of Cuneo (Italy)

“…These social dynamics demonstrate how the same conditions that have led many Alpine territories to marginalisation and depopulation could be turned into potential, enhancing competitiveness and resilience, as in other inner areas in Europe [44]. Marginalisation has allowed to preserve some natural and cultural resources, which have disappeared elsewhere (such as water, forests, biodiversity in general and eco-systemic services con-nected to them; landscape; historical and architectural heritage; diversified know-how, and social and cultural capital).…”

Rural Development Policy in Germany Regarding Coworking Spaces and Effects on Vitality and Versatility of Rural Towns

“…All in all, this can be described as a pattern of demographic change. This shift is already taking place, and is even more pronounced in other countries, such as Spain, France, and Greece [26]. One of the main reasons for people moving away from empty hinterlands has been the greater number of jobs available in both capital and coastal regions.…”