Circular Models for the Sustainable Regeneration of Italian Rural Villages: A Critical Analysis of Good Practices Toward the Definition of a Circular Rural Village

In the context of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus, circularity and sustainability have emerged as central paradigms for rethinking development models in both urban and rural areas. While most literature focuses on cities, rural villages are increasingly recognised as living laboratories where cultural heritage, landscape values, and community-based practices can support sustainable and responsible tourism. This study applies the Circular Development framework to 54 European case studies of rural regeneration, examining the interrelations among cultural heritage enhancement, sustainable tourism, circular resource management, and community engagement. Through a mixed-methods approach combining frequency and cluster analysis, the research identifies strategic domains and recurring configurations of actions, contributing to the definition of a conceptual model for the Circular Rural Village. Three pillars (Circular Tourism, Circular Land, and Circular Living) articulate how cultural identity, experiential tourism, ecological regeneration, and participatory governance can foster integrated and sustainable development. The findings offer insights for policy-makers and practitioners aiming to activate regenerative tourism and heritage-led circular transitions aligned with sustainability goals.