Culture as a Resilient and Sustainable Strategy in Small Cities

Small cities can mitigate population decline and economic stagnation by investing in culture, as demonstrated by five Spanish case studies. Allariz, Almagro, Astorga, Puigcerdá, and Trujillo have successfully used cultural strategies—such as theater festivals, historical preservation, and identity-driven initiatives—to reverse demographic and economic challenges. Unlike nearby towns facing abandonment, these cities leveraged heritage (e.g., a 17th-century corral de comedia in Almagro or pre-Roman ruins in Trujillo) to foster resilience, improve quality of life, and boost local economies. The study highlights culture as a sustainable development model for small urban centers worldwide.

Somoza Medina, X., & Relea Fernández, C. E. (2024). Culture as a Resilient and Sustainable Strategy in Small Cities. Sustainability, 16(17), 7582. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177582