More than fifty people took part in the meetings held in Ronda and Zahara de la Sierra to continue working collectively on a territorial regeneration plan for the mountain ranges of Cádiz and Ronda.
How do we envisage the future of the mountain ranges of Cádiz and Ronda? What do we need to ensure they remain a vibrant region in a few decades’ time? And how can we all – those of us who live and work in the region – work together to build that future?
These are some of the questions that continue to guide «Towards a Living Territory«, the participatory process launched by Serranías Vivas to collectively develop a shared vision and a roadmap for the regeneration of the mountain ranges.
Following an initial phase held in December 2025 in Yunquera, El Bosque and Algodonales, the process has taken a further step forward with two working sessions held in Ronda and Zahara de la Sierra. Whilst the aim of the initial meetings was to identify the region’s main challenges and opportunities, this second stage has served to begin defining priorities for action, devising solutions and making progress towards drawing up a joint plan.
More than fifty people from a wide range of backgrounds took part in the workshops: professionals from the agriculture and livestock sector, public authorities, protected natural areas, universities, businesses, associations and members of the public. Throughout the sessions, participants addressed key issues such as agricultural and livestock management, biodiversity, water, economic opportunities, rural entrepreneurship and territorial governance.
One of the most valuable aspects of the process has been the diversity of perspectives represented at the meetings. Bringing together people with different experiences and responsibilities in one place enables us to gain a better understanding of the complexity of the region and to develop more robust, realistic and widely supported proposals.
A plan developed at a local level
All the input gathered will now be used to draw up an initial proposal for the territorial regeneration plan. However, the process does not end with the drafting of the document. This initial proposal will be shared once again with participants and other stakeholders in the region to continue incorporating ideas, comparing priorities and enriching the work before finalising the plan. The aim is for the plan to be the result of a dynamic process of listening, dialogue and collective development.
A project linked to other regenerative areas
«Towards a Living Territory» forms part of the work carried out by Serranías Vivas within the Iberian Network of Regenerative Territories, an alliance of initiatives from Spain and Portugal that share methodologies, experiences and lessons learnt in order to move towards more resilient landscapes. Each territory develops its own planning process, but they all share the same conviction: regeneration is only possible when people, nature and the economy move forward hand in hand.
The process continues this autumn
This autumn we will meet again to share the progress made so far and to continue defining, together with the participants, the initial lines of action that will guide Serranías Vivas’ work over the coming years.
Because we believe that a vibrant region cannot be designed from an office. It is built by listening to, collaborating with and working alongside the people who live in, work in and look after the region every day. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We continue to move forward, step by step, towards a vibrant region.
In addition, Elvira Marín Irigaray and Antonio Guerrero (Aland Foundation) participated in each of the sessions to showcase the networks we are part of at the national and international level (the Regenerative Territories Network and Commonland), together with Álvaro Bueno, who helped visualise the territory with GIS maps and the focus on the three areas.
