Old productive architectures in the activation of rural environments. The Sierra de Cádiz water mills

Abstract

This article reflects on the potential that old productive architectures have in activating rural environments. Despite their obsolescence, they continue to form historical, functional and explanatory networks of the territories, with potential for reactivation. It starts with an approach on the interest that traditional and vernacular architectures have generated since the 20th century. The current regional spatial planning applied to the Sierra de Cádiz and the water mills is reviewed. Their typological, functional and implementation characteristics are analysed. Finally, new scenarios are proposed that take into consideration the recovery of these architectures and the reactivation of their region.