The Occitanie Region in France, like many other regions in Europe, is facing challenges related to demographic shrinkage and its urban consequences. Small towns and rural places are striving to survive and face complex social, economic, and environmental problems._x000D_
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In the post-postmodern era, the conditions for local and regional development are dependent on soft infrastructures, with culture occupying a privileged position. The quality of life, natural environment, social solidarity, cultural activities, and services are now essential motors of competitiveness and sustainable development._x000D_
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The new strategic way of thinking, urban planning, and implementation focuses not only on material developments but also on a complex socio-philosophic approach. It consciously plans the potential penetration points of the town, taking into account the special qualities, endogenous resources, local intellectual potential, and the capital involved in the existing cultural symbols and man-made heritage of the given settlement._x000D_
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Resilience and local culture can provide good conditions to deal with the urban issues raised by demographic shrinkage. Local culture can be used as a resource for maintaining and developing small towns and rural places. Resilience, based on symbols, man-made heritage, or environmental resources, can provide a chance for rural-urban peripheries to survive and even thrive._x000D_
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This presentation will focus on the Occitanie Region in France and how local culture and resilience can be used to deal with the challenges of demographic shrinkage and urban consequences. The goal is to showcase how a complex socio-philosophic approach to urban planning and implementation can help small towns and rural places maintain and develop themselves in the long run.

Charbel YOUSSEF
Docteur en urbanisme et aménagement de l’espace – Université Toulouse 2 Jean Jaurès
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