Abandoned Rural Spain Rebounds With People Fleeing Cities

COVID-19 is leading an exodus to rural areas, according to this article. The shift could hurt the economies of cities, but it also presents opportunities for younger residents and people looking for a more sustainable lifestyle.

1 minute read

October 23, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By PabloValerio @pabl0valerio

The town of Albarracín in the Spanish province of Teruel. | Pablo Valerio / Cities of the Future

By Carmen Popescu

In Spain, Internet searches to buy a single-family home (a house with a garden and balcony) increased by 40% in March and April. And those who already had a second residence for the weekends increasingly make it their first residence, registering in countryside municipalities and teleworking.

Everything adds up, in the meantime, in favor of the countryside and sprawl: you live healthier, you have better access to organic products; you breathe better; you get fewer chances to get sick… and technologies make it easier to work remotely in more and more occupations, including primary education.

For the urban strategy decision makers, this crisis is both an unprecedented challenge and an opportunity for change.

FULL STORY: New Normal driving exodus from cities, rebalancing rural towns

Monday, October 19, 2020 in Cities of the Future

Environment Housing Social / Demographics Europe Spain Coronavirus and Urbanism Urban Exodus rural exodus Coronavirus COVID 19 City Exodus Environment Walkability Urban Life Farming Lifestyle the new normal View More

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