The radical transformation that Spanish rural areas have experienced in the past few decades suggest, as it has occurred in many OECD countries, a new approach to rural policy. Spain has recently undertaken a major reform of its rural policies, including the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture with the Ministry of the Environment and the recently approved Law on Sustainable Development of Rural Areas. This new framework creates a multi-sectoral and place-based «rural policy of state», making Spain better equipped to address the challenges and opportunities of rural areas.
This report - undertaken at the same time as the reforms were being implemented - will interest both policy makers engaged in similar reform processes and others working on issues such the «political economy» of reforms, rural tourism, renewable energies, rural clusters, development of peri-urban areas and public service delivery in remote rural areas.
List of Acronyms Assessment and Recommendations Chapter 1. Profile of Rural Spain -Key Points -Introduction -What is "Rural" Spain?
-What is Happening in Rural Areas?
--Population and Migration --Social Well-being and Equity --Economic Structure and Performance --Environment and Sustainability -Conclusion -Annex 1.A1. Additional Figures on What is Rural in Spain -Annex 1.A2. Methodology for the Decomposition of GDP Growth -Annex 1.A3. Methodology for Identifying and Mapping Industrial Districts -Annex 1.A4. Regression on the Impact of Ageing on Economic Growth Chapter 2. Rural Policy in Spain: Institutional and Governance Issues -Key Points -Introduction -Evolution of Rural Policy in Spain -Rural Policy in a Narrow Sense: EU Programmes and the LEADER Approach -Rural Policy in a Broad Sense: The New Law on Sustainable Development in Rural Areas -Conclusion -Annex 2.A1. Comparison of EC Guidelines and the Spanish Strategic Plan -Annex 2.A2. Financial Breakdown of Rural Development Expenses 2007-2013 Chapter 3. Towards a New Stage in Spain's Rural Policy -Key Points -Introduction -Dealing with Depopulation, Ageing, and Social Challenges in Rural Areas -Diversifying and Fostering the Competitiveness of Rural Spain -Fostering Rural-Urban Linkages and Balanced Development of Peri-Urban Rural Areas -Addressing Environmental Concerns and Promoting Sustainable Development Bibliography