Urban Network Development: Pre-Industrial to Post-Industrial
Stages in the Formation of the Urban Network
Pre-Industrial Development
Rome marked the beginning of the urbanization process. The subsequent decline of the Roman Empire led to a phase of de-urbanization. In Andalusia, a Media Center has established itself as an urban spread. Following the discovery of America, the Atlantic gained prominence, shifting development westward. In the Early Modern period, key characteristics of settlements included:
- A scattered population along the Atlantic coast.
- Mid-size cities in the highlands.
- A large urban concentration in the Guadalquivir valley.
- Ancient capitals remaining in the Middle East.
With Madrid becoming the capital in 1563, roads were designed to converge on the city. The 16th century saw increasing urbanization, which ended with the crisis of the 17th century, except in Madrid. In the 18th century, the old model broke down. A contrast emerged between a declining center (except Madrid) and a periphery experiencing increasing urbanization. This model was reinforced by several factors:
- The end of the commercial boom of Cantabrian ports.
- Expansion of Catalan trade.
- Exploitation of iron in the Basque Country.
- Exports of agricultural products in the Levant.
- The new transport network favoring Madrid.
- Attempts to unify administrative divisions, resulting in the current provincial division.
Provincial capitals became polarizing centers. By the mid-19th century, a hierarchy and functional specialization of cities were evident.
Industrial Development
The acceleration of the urbanization process occurred with industrialization, compounded by the incorporation of a large population from the countryside. In the early 20th century, commercial activities remained the primary cause of urban growth. Development was consolidated in isolation compared to the stagnation of inland areas. In the 1930s, there was massive migration from rural areas to industrial cities. At the regional level, provincial capitals functioned as secondary outbreaks of concentration, both locally and in better-connected areas. After the reconstruction phase following the Civil War, the entire territory was incorporated into the processes accompanying industrial development in its final stages. Rapid urban growth between 1965 and 1975 led to significant territorial imbalances and intra-urban disorganization. Recent changes to the urban network include:
- Development plans.
- Accumulated growth of Madrid.
- Tourism, leading to the formation of large coastal conurbations.
In this context, the Spanish urban network is part of what has been called “first suburbs.”
Post-Industrial Development
The post-industrial development manifested in the late 1970s, with four distinct models:
- Subsystems where post-industrial processes are more evident (Catalonia, Basque Country, Asturias, Cantabria, Madrid).
- Developing subsystems experiencing a migration crisis (Galicia, Castile, Aragon).
- Subsystems based on tourism (Balearic Islands, Andalusia).
- Spaces in a pre-industrial phase (marginal rural areas).
The urban system’s instability has increased in recent years due to:
- The change of political regime.
- The structural economic crisis.
- The process of outsourcing and de-industrialization.
- The return of migrants.
- Political decentralization and the designation of funds.
These factors have produced significant changes, such as the dismemberment of areas organized around Madrid and Basque centers, increased focus on single-axis systems (Barcelona, Zaragoza), and tensions in bipolar systems by placing the capital in an intermediate city (Santiago de Compostela).
The Urban Transition Phase
The urban transition phase began in 1981. Its features include:
- Reduced growth of major cities in favor of regional cities.
- Growth of medium-sized cities and suburban areas.
- A reduced growth rate, although the rate of urbanization continues to increase due to rural populations remaining.
The environmental impact caused by accelerated urbanization is reflected in:
- Atmospheric impacts (acid rain, greenhouse effect).
- Acoustic impacts.
- Water pollution.
- Land degradation and ecosystem damage.