Industrial Policies, Tourism, and Urban Systems in Spain
Industrial Policies
The administration faced major challenges regarding industrial policies. Different types of industrial policies were implemented, such as the “poles of development” policy during the 1970s, which led to rapid industrial growth but also caused significant imbalances. The government promoted industry, and location policy was guided by the “desarrollo” poles. Two types of poles can be distinguished based on their location:
- Poles located in cities near main industrial sources to channel diffusion.
- Peripheral sites created to achieve greater equilibrium.
The consequences of this policy varied, with some fostering city growth.
Impact of Tourism
Spain is a major tourism country, and the development of this sector has heavily impacted its urban system:
- Sun and Beach Tourism: Led to the development of numerous Spanish cities, particularly in the peninsular Mediterranean, promoting growth in some provincial capitals.
- Cultural and Historic Tourism: In recent years, urban and cultural tourism has experienced significant growth. Historic cities have benefited from increased tourist numbers and second homes.
- Small Cities: The phenomenon of second homes has boosted the economies of many towns and smaller inland and coastal cities, leading to an increase in demand for services in the tertiary sector.
Urban Hierarchies
Urban areas vary in size and function. Larger cities concentrate a greater number of diverse functions. Urban functions refer to activities taking place within these spaces. Higher-level cities are more specialized. The Spanish urban system can be categorized into the following hierarchical levels:
- National Big Cities: Madrid and Barcelona exert influence nationwide and are interconnected with European cities.
- Regional Metropolises: Large metropolitan areas with senior services that organize broader metropolitan spaces. Strong sub-flows exist within their respective regions.
- Medium Cities: Characterized by commercial and service activities.
- District Capitals: Cities with basic services and limited reach.
Airport System
The airport system is highly hierarchical, with airports varying in size and function. They can be distinguished by their role in the system:
- Stem Airports: Main network connections for domestic and international tourism.
- Island Airports: Vital for integrating island territories with the peninsula.
- Metropolitan Airports: Rely on demand generated by regional metropolises.
- Peninsular Tourist Airports: Located on the Mediterranean coast and experience higher seasonality.
- Local and Regional Airports: The rest of Spanish airports have only national connections.
Historical Evolution of the Road Network
The history of the Spanish road network dates back to Roman roads. The network declined during the Middle Ages, with main routes being reconfigured later. In the 18th century, the road network adopted its current radial structure due to Bourbon centralism. Until the 20th century, roads were poor. With the widespread use of automobiles, roads constantly improved, with the first significant boost occurring in the 1920s. Economic development in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in substantial car growth and the construction of the first highways.
Transport and Urban System
Transport infrastructure is another crucial factor in the evolution of the urban system, enabling the development of economic activities:
- Inland Transport: The radial structure of the land transport network, centered in Madrid, has promoted the capital’s economic development.
- Ports: Have driven not only commercial activities but also industries, accelerating urban growth.
- Airports: Have a decisive influence on contemporary urban development.
Crisis and Restructuring of the Industrial Sector
In the late 1970s, Spain suffered a severe industrial crisis, particularly affecting steel, metallurgy, and shipbuilding. The necessary restructuring of these sectors led to significant job losses, especially in cities along the Cantabrian axis. From the 1990s, a restructuring of the industrial sector occurred, with weaker effects on the urban system:
- Equipment Investment: In response to the crisis, many companies replaced labor with new equipment.
- R&D Investment: Another strategy was to increase R&D, either in existing companies or through the creation of new ones.
- Rural Industrialization: Some rural areas leveraged lower land and labor costs for commercial activity.