Urban Morphology and Structure: A Comprehensive Guide
Metropolitan Area
A metropolitan area is a large urban extension surrounding a major city where there are several independent municipalities. These municipalities have significant economic, social, and transport links to the main city, such as Madrid and Barcelona.
Old Town
The old town is the part of the city urbanized from its origin to the industrialization of the 19th century. It holds historical evidence from various periods, from the birth of the city until today.
Central Business District (CBD)
The Central Business District (CBD) is located in central areas with easy access. The high price of land prevents residential use. It features large, multi-story buildings with a high volume of people during the workday.
Dormitory Town
Dormitory towns are primarily residential areas. They are created because the working population commutes to industrial areas or downtown and returns at night to sleep. They often lack a full range of services.
Conurbation
A conurbation is a continuous urban area formed by the growth of two or more cities that eventually merge. Each city within the conurbation maintains its independence. Their fusion is usually driven by a traffic hub, like Malaga and Marbella.
Chabolismo (Shantytowns)
Chabolismo refers to illegally built, self-constructed homes without urban planning. These settlements have significant deficiencies in infrastructure and lack basic services like water and electricity.
Ensanche (Urban Expansion)
Ensanche is a bourgeois urban planning model characterized by social segregation and functional spaces. Through a grid-like street layout, it achieved more efficient land use and allowed the construction of large blocks of houses with shops located on the ground floor.
Urban Functions
Urban functions are socio-economic activities that act as catalysts for a city’s outward growth. There are three types of cities:
- Primary cities specialize in primary sector activities, such as the agricultural cities of Andalusia, La Mancha, Murcia, and Levante, and mining towns like those in Asturias.
- Secondary cities specialize in industry, like the first cities that joined the industrial revolution or those focused on construction in areas with economic, demographic, or tourism dynamism.
- Tertiary cities specialize in services, which are the activities that best define a city’s character and its role as an organizer of the large national metropolitan area.
Megalopolis
A megalopolis arises when urbanization reaches a super-regional scale. It consists of several urban elements with distinct functions that grow and form a discontinuous urban fabric, but without significant fractures. In Spain, an example is the Mediterranean axis from the French border to Cartagena.
Urban Morphology
Urban morphology refers to the external appearance of a city. It is influenced by the city’s location and results from a combination of its layout, construction, and land use.
Street Plan
A street plan is the layout of buildings and open spaces within a city. There are three main types:
- Irregular: with narrow, winding streets and shapeless squares.
- Radiocentric: has a central area with radial streets that are intersected by other roads. The areas around the center can be regular or irregular.
- Orthogonal: a grid or checkerboard pattern where streets intersect at right angles.
Metropolis
Metropolises are cities at the top of the urban system hierarchy. They offer more specialized and diversified services than other cities, related to the higher-level tertiary sector and industry. Their area of influence is wide. Within these cities, there is a hierarchy in terms of size, functions, and the extent of their area of influence.
Urban Morphology
Urban morphology is the external appearance of a city, influenced by its location. It depends on the characteristics of the physical environment and the function for which the city was established. For example, cities founded for defensive purposes were often located on hills, while those with a commercial function were situated near trade routes.
Situation refers to the city’s position within a wider geographical area and relates to its role in the surrounding environment.
Construction includes the layout of buildings. It can be compact or dispersed. Buildings can be collective (high-rise) or individual.
Land use refers to the various ways urban space is utilized.
Problems of Spanish Cities
Housing
High rental costs, especially in large cities, are a major problem due to high land prices and speculation. The solution requires urban policy and planning, such as promoting officially protected housing and extending it to the rehabilitation of old housing.
Supply and Equipment
Water and energy consumption in cities have increased in recent years, requiring costly investments in supply facilities. It is necessary to promote savings and improve recreational facilities, sanitation, etc., which are often deficient due to imbalances in urban growth.
Traffic
Traffic congestion is caused by supply needs and commuting, leading to traffic jams and parking difficulties. Solutions include building bypasses and large parking areas, and limiting car use.
Environment
Large cities have an urban microclimate characterized by higher temperatures and rainfall than surrounding rural areas. Air pollution from traffic and heating systems is a concern. Wastewater needs to be treated before being discharged into rivers or the sea. Solutions include creating comprehensive treatment plants and promoting water recycling.
Crime and Social Exclusion
Exposure to advertising and stress can contribute to crime and social exclusion. Solutions include prevention campaigns for young people and addressing social inequalities.