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The access to broadband services as a strategy to retain population in the depopulated countryside in Spain.
- Source :
-
Cities . Jan2024, Vol. 144, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- The aim of this paper is to analyze at what extent the connectivity of small localities is a determinant of their demography. Specifically, we pay attention to three factors: the evolution of the population; the distance, measured both in kilometres and travel time, to the province capital, the usual city where the largest set of services is available; and finally, the coverage of different kinds of broadband services (from ADSL or 3.5 G to the fastest ones FTTH) in rural areas. An econometric model was estimated where the dependent variable captures the increase of inhabitants along 2017–2020 of the 5955 Spanish municipalities with a population between 101 and 10,000 inhabitants (73.3 % of all municipalities). The results point out to the following facts: digital connectivity of small localities is a determinant of their demography, whatever the technology used, but physical distance remains being a significant factor on the population growth (both if it is measured of physical distance or travelling time) to explain the population growth of each locality. • Digital connectivity of small localities is a determinant of their demography. • Internet connections are a new communication channel to promote/deter depopulation in rural areas. • Internet access is positively correlated with population growth in small/medium populations. • The distance to the provincial capital continues to be a factor that slows down population growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 02642751
- Volume :
- 144
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Cities
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 173944773
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104647