RT Journal Article
T1 Effects of counter-urbanization on Mediterranean rural landscapes
A1 Herrero De Jáuregui, Cristina
A1 Concepción Cuevas, Elena Daniela
AB ContextCounter-urbanization, or the reverse migration from the city to the countryside, is a well-known demographic trend associated with rural restructuring since the 1980s. Counter-urbanization is particularly relevant in social-ecological systems with a long history of human land use, such as the Mediterranean ones. However, the extent and impacts of this phenomenon are largely unknown, particularly in this region.ObjectivesWe aim to review the state of the issue of counter-urbanization in the Mediterranean region. We focus on the particular determinants and outcomes of this phenomenon in Mediterranean landscapes.MethodsWe conducted a bibliographic review using the Web of Science. We summarized and classified the main findings in different categories according to the socio-economic drivers of this process and its impacts on the landscape along the land sharing-sparing gradient.ResultsWe found 31 studies that met the criteria to be reviewed and classified them as follows: a first group of studies focused on counter-urbanization as an urban sprawl driver; a second group linked counter-urbanization to rural gentrification. These two groups point to a twofold trend of land intensification or abandonment resulting in land-sparing landscapes. A third group of studies explored the urban–rural migration motivated by economic crisis and rural areas’ role as refugees that support land-sharing landscapes. A fourth group focused on multi-functional, land-sharing landscapes enhanced by rural newcomers.ConclusionsAlthough counter-urbanization can follow the usual path of urbanization and gentrification, it may also constitute an alternative way to reverse the current trends of rural abandonment and land-use intensification in Mediterranean landscapes. Public policies play a major role to drive this movement toward the maintenance or recovery of multifunctional landscapes, and to minimize their undesirable impacts.
PB Springer
SN 0921-2973
YR 2023
FD 2023-08-29
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/103520
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/103520
LA eng
NO 2023 Acuerdos transformativos CRUE
DS Docta Complutense
RD 10 abr 2025