RECUPERO INTELLIGENTE NELLE AREE RURALI MEDITERRANEE. STRATEGIE COMPARATIVE TRA ITALIA E SPAGNA

Abstract

Across the Mediterranean Basin, inner rural areas and small villages are experiencing a progressive decline due to complex factors such as depopulation, reduced public investment, ageing infrastructure, and the weakening of traditional productive systems since the late 19th century. This phenomenon has led to massive migration from rural territories to urban centers—particularly in inland and mountainous regions—causing demographic imbalance and increasing territorial, economic, and social inequality. At the same time, changes in productive activity and the enforcement of stricter architectural regulations have contributed to the deterioration of traditional architecture and the transformation of cultural landscapes. In response to these challenges, several initiatives have emerged across the Mediterranean and Europe aimed at regenerating these contexts through innovative approaches rooted in sustainability, community engagement, and territorial identity. Within this framework, the concept of the Smart Village has gained traction as a strategic tool for promoting inclusive and intelligent regeneration processes that integrate tradition with innovation. This contribution presents a comparative analysis between two emblematic case studies—one in Spain and one in Sicily—that exemplify different yet complementary approaches to rural regeneration and the enhancement of traditional architecture. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on fieldwork, document analysis, and direct dialogue with stakeholders involved in local planning and community development. Despite operating in distinct geographical and cultural contexts, both cases share a common goal: reactivating abandoned or marginal territories through a combination of technological innovation, architectural and heritage preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration using local materials, traditional construction techniques, and participatory governance. In both contexts, attention is given to strategies that leverage the intrinsic value of local resources—both tangible, such as built heritage, and intangible, such as community practices and know-how—while experimenting with new models of rural living. In Spain, regional and municipal initiatives have implemented integrated plans that combine digital infrastructure development with actions aimed at economic diversification and architectural revitalization, while in Sicily, projects carried out in inland areas have focused on restoring traditional buildings, reactivating civic centers, and creating multifunctional spaces for education, co-design, and cultural production. These interventions not only address the physical decay of built environments but also stimulate processes of collective imagination and re-appropriation, fostering new forms of belonging while preserving the essence of the cultural landscape. The results of this comparative study highlight that smart rehabilitation in rural areas cannot be reduced to purely technological interventions but must instead be understood as a broader socio-territorial process. In this sense, “smart” does not necessarily mean digital, but rather refers to the capacity of a territory to self-organize, innovate, and adapt according to its own identity and needs. While short-term actions may focus on activating community services or promoting rural tourism, long-term strategies require integrated policies supporting education, accessibility, energy transition, and the redefinition of local economies. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of developing context-sensitive strategies that are not imposed from above but co-constructed with the people who inhabit and care for these territories. The comparison between the Sicilian and Spanish experiences thus serves as a valuable starting point for rethinking rural regeneration in the Mediterranean—not as a nostalgic return to the past, but as a forward-looking opportunity to reactivate and prese