Tradition and innovation in Mediterranean inner rural areas. The role of sustainable technology on preserving traditional architecture and creating Smart Villages comparing Palermo and Valencia

The objective of this research is to explore pathways for the creation of Smart Villages in the Mediterranean context, with a focus on the Madonie Park—an extensive area comprising 21 municipalities within a UNESCO Global Geopark—and the Province of Castellón in Valencia. These rural territories are currently affected by depopulation, demographic decline, and limited employment opportunities. Through a comparative methodology applied to the villages of Polizzi Generosa and Morella, the study investigates technological implementations in buildings and public spaces able to demonstrate how sustainability and technological innovation can coexist with the preservation of architectural heritage, local history, and cultural identity. The results show that the ‘intelligence’ of these places lies in their capacity to achieve high standards of quality of life without altering the intrinsic values of protected and well-preserved environments. By integrating tradition and innovation, these villages can offer a contemporary and sustainable model of living, providing an alternative to the dynamics of large metropolitan centres. The scientific contribution of this study lies in proposing a replicable smart rehabilitation workflow tailored to Mediterranean inner rural contexts, grounded in comparative typological analysis and compatible technological integration.