The aesthetic power of old buildings is the main attraction of the villages in Les Garrigues, but their conservation falls almost exclusively on the owners. Critics argue that the conservation efforts for these historic properties, often undertaken by retirees, are penalized by numerous taxes, especially the IBI (Property Tax).
Rehabilitating these buildings is more sustainable than constructing new apartment blocks, but owners need access to aid without having to navigate the thorny path of bureaucratic reports and solemnities.
In addition to the fiscal issue, residents express discomfort regarding poor planning in service installation. It is lamented that for years, a “labyrinthine mess” of fiber optic cables has been allowed to be plastered onto facades, an unsightly servitude that demonstrates a lack of respect and could be solved with underground channeling.
Another element of heritage at risk are the rammed earth huts (cabanes de tàpia), traditional constructions made with compressed earth that represent a model of maximum sustainability and minimal environmental impact. These structures, part of the region's farming legacy, are currently neglected or in ruins, undermining the efforts of old farmers.
