Abstract for: Depopulation scenarios in small communities in Southern Italy: integrating qualitative research into dynamic models

The "images" of the future held by the local actors are relevant to the future of their own community. With this premises, in the first phase of a community analysis, we used the “strategic interview” method. This is a semi-structured interview (Ratcliffe, 2002) based on seven questions oriented to long-term futures and focused on the concerns and expectations. Then, we integrated in simulation models of popolation some qualitative considerations emerged from interviews. This has completely changed the results with respect to the projections proposed by the national statistical institution, as well as the perspective to understand possible evolutions in the near future regarding the depopulation of small communities in mountain areas.