Evaluation of Urban Sustainability in Cities of The French Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago Francés) in Castilla y León according to The Spanish Urban Agenda

Valverde de la Virgen emerges as the most sustainable city along the French Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago Francés) in Castilla y León, according to a study analyzing urban sustainability across six host cities. The research leveraged official data from the Spanish Urban Agenda to assess performance against normalized indicators tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), revealing significant disparities and opportunities for urban revitalization. Unlike previous studies that often focus on regional trends, this work provides a granular, localized diagnosis, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and actionable insights for cities like Burgos, Astorga, Cacabelos, León, and Ponferrada—all grappling with depopulation and rural-urban transitions. The findings underscore the potential of the Camino de Santiago as a catalyst for collaborative sustainability initiatives, bridging gaps between urban areas while addressing regional challenges.

Tomatis, F., Lozano-Castellanos, L. F., García-Navarrete, O. L., Correa-Guimaraes, A., Wilhelm, M. S., Boukharta, O. F., Murcia Velasco, D. A., & Méndez-Vanegas, J. E. (2022). Evaluation of Urban Sustainability in Cities of The French Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago Francés) in Castilla y León according to The Spanish Urban Agenda. Sustainability, 14(15), 9164. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159164