Building housing to combat depopulation is one of the proposals included in the second phase of the action plan developed for Los Silos. It also recommends promoting the primary sector, sustainable tourism, sports, and heritage as economic drivers. All of this should be pursued alongside “a necessary push for digitisation across all areas.” This plan is a pilot project resulting from months of collaboration between the Town Hall and the Ministry of Ecological Transition of the Government of the Canary Islands, analysing the current demographic situation of the municipality and suggesting initiatives for various sectors.
The diagnosis made for this plan aims to address the demographic challenge confronting 47 municipalities in the Canary Islands with similar characteristics. The town has fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, a predominantly rural character, and an ageing population: 25% of its residents are over 65, marking it as having the highest elderly index in Tenerife. Moreover, the unemployment rate hovers around 18%, significantly affecting the youth, and the town heavily relies on the primary sector, which houses 40% of its enterprises.
Territorial Measures
Regarding the first set of measures focused on territory, the plan proposes linking actions to the unique characteristics of the municipality. This means taking into account its land and high environmental value. For instance, it suggests the restoration of rural ecosystems or the implementation of sustainable energy systems.
The Importance of Architectural Heritage
On the other hand, the proposal emphasises that to create more opportunities for the population, the rehabilitation and promotion of architectural heritage is essential. This includes managing existing walking paths and recovering others that are unused to align them with tourism and the local economy. “The entire process must be conducted alongside an informed and participatory population, so that the necessary spaces can be developed,” it states.
Following the presentation of the action plan this Tuesday, local administrations and citizens will review the proposed measures to prioritise their development, “transforming them into concrete projects and seeking funding to implement them,” as outlined in the initial proposal. The presentation day featured a roundtable discussion with the mayors of Los Silos, Carmen Luz Baso Lorenzo (PSOE); Buenavista del Norte, Eva García (PSOE); El Tanque, Esther Morales (PSOE); and Garachico, Heriberto González (CC).
The presentation of the action plan for Los Silos took place as part of a working session involving experts who contributed to the diagnostic study. During the event, several practical experiences from other municipalities in the Canary Islands were shared, which could serve as examples for the others.
