Sustainable Development as a Strategy to Tackle Depopulation in Rural Areas? Case Study: Almócita

Abstract

<p>Rural areas in central Spain are facing a serious problem of depopulation. Municipalities try to address this situation with concrete actions, but many of their initiatives are not effective enough. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze this problem and the way it is addressed from a new approach: sustainability. Using the rural municipality of Almócita, Almería, Spain, as a case study, the paper analyzes their socioeconomic status through the perception of their inhabitants, the measures taken so far (both public and private), and the local initiatives regarding depopulation.</p>