Urban Planning in Areas of Demographic Stagnation or Decline. An Analysis of Developable Land in Rural Municipalities in Catalonia

Abstract

This article analyses the adequacy of urban and territorial planning in rural municipalities in Catalonia in the face of demographic stagnation or decline, focusing on the functional area of Olot-Anglès between 2000 and 2020. The study is based on the context of rural depopulation observed in much of Spain, which is marked by a regulatory model that favoured expansive urban growth and the oversizing of developable land, even in rural areas with low actual demand. The integrated analysis of demographic data, land registry data, remote sensing data and a review of planning instruments reveals a clear disconnect between the supply of land suitable for development and the actual evolution of the population. The results show that, despite the recent decline or stagnation in population in many of the municipalities studied, the proportion of classified and available developable land remains excessive in relation to projected needs. This oversizing leads to inefficient land use, high maintenance costs and pressure on land of agricultural or ecological value. The study concludes by emphasising the need to review and adapt planning instruments, abandoning expansionist scenarios and promoting strategies for regeneration, containment and use of the existing building stock, in line with European guidelines and sustainability objectives.