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Depopulation in Europe: some strategies and solutions in Spain

REGIONS FOR ECONOMIC CHANGE CONFERENCE. Depopulation in Europe: some strategies and solutions in Spain. Developing rural and sparsely populated and ultra-peripheral areas: strategies and actions 25 January 2007 Antonio Arrufat Gascón

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Depopulation in Europe: some strategies and solutions in Spain

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  1. REGIONS FOR ECONOMIC CHANGE CONFERENCE Depopulation in Europe: some strategies and solutions in Spain Developing rural and sparsely populated and ultra-peripheral areas: strategies and actions 25 January 2007 Antonio Arrufat Gascón Spanish Federation of Municipalities & Provinces (Member Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions) Vice-president of the Provincial Government of Teruel

  2. 1. The population imbalance in Europe may result in • Increased territorial imbalance • Loss in quality of life • Underutilisation of existing infrastucture (budget implications) • Loss of natural, cultural and architectural heritage • Fall in productivity, slow-down of economic growth, loss in competitiveness • Increase in depencency levels • Heterogeneity: overpopulation of large cities and depopulation of rural areas and mountain areas

  3. 2. Demographic change at local and regional level – risks of depopulation • patchwork of shrinking and growing communities (heterogeneity) • influences nearly every sphere of life: labour market, housing, social systems, infrastructure, urban and spatial planning, education, public finance, economic development • challenge to future of public services (rising costs and changing demands) • Rural areas particularly affected • Local and regional authorities cannot afford to remain inactive: • Need strategies to slow down depopulation and population shrinkage • Need successful strategies to adapt to a changed reality

  4. 3. Demographic evolution of Spanish provinces experiencing depopulation (1950-2000) • Percentage of accumulated population loss in Spain (1950-2000):-454,47 • By 2050, Spain will have highest % of people above 65 years (37%) • By 2050 expected population decrease of –24%, i.e. 9.4 million

  5. 4. Example of interregional strategy in Spain • Objective Attract settlement of entrepreneurs in rural areas • Instrument:EU Community Initiative LEADER + • Interterritorial cooperation:15 local action groups in 4 Autonomous Communities of Spain

  6. 5. Good practice in the Province of Teruel:attracting and retaining people • Pilot project NEXOS-EQUALTERUEL: integration of imigrant families in municipalities in the province of Teruel (CI EQUAL) • Help local authorities with rehabilitation of social housing • Creation and opening of “Multiservices” in municipalities without basic services • Launch of new association “HABITATE”

  7. 6. Local action in Teruel Province:La Cerollera, Camañas y Aguilar de Alfambra • Socioeconomic impact of local population in repopulation project • Creation of synergies between public and private activities • Creation of jobs, services and housing for new population • Sustainable development plan based on use of local resources • Preservation of local identity/ promotion of intercultural living • Progressive increase of population over last 8 year

  8. 7. FEMP proposal: a national fund to fight rural depopulation Priority Axes: • Business development, creation of employment and increase in quality of life • Promotion of local produce • Investment in alternative energies • Social support and women employment • Housing support • Mobility, accessibility and new technologies

  9. 8. FEMP proposal: a national fund to fight rural depopulation (2) A. Principle: • Take as reference point the population loss of a province in the period 1950-2000 (in year II it would extend until 2001 to take into account variation) B. Formula: • % decline of accumulated population loss x €500 000 (+ anual increas of IPC): Spain (yr.1) = 454,47 x €500 000 = € 227.235.000 C. Management: • Entity must have technical capacity and must support a supramunicipal vision (larger region) • Provincial government and equivalent ideal level

  10. 9. Outlook: supporting local and regional authorities to manage demographic change • Help develop and implement innovative approach to demographic change (foster exchange of practical solutions) • ‘Demography Check’: need to review EU policies in light of demographic change (particularly CAP, environment and regional policy) • Realignment of EU Structural Funds and EAFRD – sustain balanced territorial development of EU • Priority to fund necessary adaptations and conversions in localities affected negatively by demographic change • Need EU and national programmes for integrated development of shrinking regions (finances, concepts and instruments to manage change)

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