Speakers
Description
Since 1975, Spain's population has increased by approximately 42%, rising from 34.2 to 48.6 million in 2024 (INE, 2024). However, this growth has been unevenly distributed, with rural areas experiencing significant depopulation due to economic transformations and migration to urban centres. This demographic shift highlights the phenomenon of "Empty Spain" ("España vacía") described by Del Molino (2016).
This study seeks to tackle the challenges of depopulation by fostering innovation and technology transfer in rural areas, guided by the principles of the circular bioeconomy and leveraging local timber resources. It proposes the development of a small-scale timber industry to produce modular and parametric wooden construction systems for rehabilitating traditional buildings. This initiative aims to establish a circular economy that revitalizes forest management and builds a sustainable value chain. Additionally, it encourages the adoption of advanced technologies and methods to enhance competitiveness, generate new business and employment opportunities, and strengthen social cohesion while promoting territorial and demographic balance.
The research methodology starts with a detailed analysis of the socio-cultural and economic conditions of the target area to identify economically viable activities, avoiding models based on secondary residencies or short-term rental.
Key objectives include:
1. Cataloguing and diagnosing the condition of representative rural building types across regions.
2. Establishing a transnational circular bioeconomy network to foster innovation and create a digital hub for integrating data and tools.
By combining traditional practices with innovative, sustainable solutions, this study provides a framework for repopulating and revitalising left-behind territories, creating pathways for long-term resilience and growth.
