Suburbanisation tendencies within the context of the new rural society. The case of the Galician countryside, 1970-1991

Abstract

This article examines the process of rural suburbanisation in Galicia between 1970 and 1991 within the framework of the emerging “new rural society.” Using demographic data, spatial analysis, and socio-historical interpretation, the study explores how rural areas near urban centres underwent significant transformations in land use, housing patterns, and social structure. Key drivers included internal migration, return of emigrants, increased mobility, and changing residential aspirations. The findings reveal the emergence of hybrid spaces—neither fully rural nor urban—where agricultural activity declined and residential functions gained prominence. These dynamics challenge traditional notions of rurality and raise important questions for territorial planning and social cohesion in post-agrarian contexts.