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Abstract

Many historical city centres are currently undergoing major transformation thanks to projects financed by a range of institutions. In general, they have suffered a loss of habitability, functionality and social life as they have become seen as museum pieces and places of leisure and culture.They are, then, inhabited by one group, the residents, and used and enjoyed by others for the purposes of leisure and cultural tourism.This article examines the characteristics, problems presented and solutions offered for the historical centres of medium-sized cities in Southern Europe. It offers a study of the historical centre of the city of León, in Spain, in order to make suggestions for the sustainable development of such places.

Keywords

historical centre rehabilitation of old neighbourhoods socio-cultural townscape sustainability

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Euro Commentary: Towards the Sustainability of Historical Centres: a Case-Study of León,Spain

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