Urbanization in Spain: A Historical Overview

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 in Geography

Industrial Urbanization (Mid-19th to Mid-20th Century)

Socioeconomic Growth and Provincial Capitals

From 1833, provincial capitals experienced significant growth, driven by socioeconomic factors and the establishment of government services and institutions. Growth was slow until the second third of the 19th century.

Demolition of Medieval Walls and Urban Expansion

From the second third of the 19th century until the Civil War, medieval walls were demolished, making way for bourgeois expansions with orthogonal or radial layouts. Some working-class neighborhoods developed in peripheral areas. Cities grew demographically and spatially, with increasing industrial activity. Transport and infrastructure also improved. Concepts like the garden city and the construction of affordable housing emerged from the 1920s.

Postindustrial Urbanization (Mid-20th Century to Present)

Post-Civil War Urban Development

After the Civil War, significant urban development occurred, particularly in the northwest quadrant of the peninsula, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Bilbao. During the 1960s, housing estates were created on the periphery, and historical centers shifted towards offices and shops. Metropolitan growth occurred in industrial and residential areas for middle and upper classes, often in an anarchic manner.

Changes in Urbanization Factors (1975-Early 1990s)

• Declining industrial relevance affected cities experiencing economic crisis.
• Dispersion of urban areas led to the emergence of suburbs and low-density urbanization, urban production units, and joint ventures between urban and rural areas. Satellite towns became dependent on major metropolises, becoming dormitory towns.
• Tertiary activities gained importance, especially in Madrid, Barcelona, and the archipelagos. In less developed regions, low-skilled tertiary activities predominated.
• Growth of larger cities slowed, benefiting small and medium-sized cities and even nearby rural villages.

1. The Old Town

Preindustrial Characteristics

The old town reflects the preindustrial era. Most were walled, some fully (Lugo) or partially (Merida). Typical of Roman, medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque settlements up to the 18th century. Irregular layouts were common, although radiocentric (Vitoria-Gasteiz) or linear (cities along the Way of St. James) patterns also existed. Streets were narrow, often dead ends, with walkways and small squares. Blocks were irregular in shape and size. Buildings were low in height, with diverse land use: housing, commerce, government, and culture.

Transformation During Industrialization

During industrialization, the old town densified, with vertical growth and the emergence of large avenues. Bourgeois and working-class neighborhoods became distinct. The area experienced deterioration and subsequent renovation from the mid-20th century.

Renovation and Rehabilitation

In the 1960s, parts of the old town were destroyed and replaced with tertiary areas. This led to internal segregation, traffic congestion, and building issues. From 1975, rehabilitation policies with institutional support were implemented. In recent decades, policies have focused on aligning streets and improving facades. Degradation, exclusion, and crime remain significant challenges.

2. The Bourgeois Expansion

Post-Wall Demolition Development

Following the demolition of city walls by mid-century, bourgeois expansions were designed with orthogonal grid layouts, featuring large blocks, courtyards, plazas, and landscaped areas (e.g., El Retiro in Madrid, La Ciudadela in Barcelona). Major roads and ring roads were built to improve mobility.

Building Density and Social Stratification

Initially, building density was low, but it later increased, leading to multi-story buildings in historicist styles, reflecting social stratification. Palaces and villas with gardens were common. Railways played a key role in the 19th century but later hindered urban sprawl and vehicle traffic. Cemeteries were moved to the outskirts, allowing the city to expand into those areas.

The Central Business District (CBD)

The CBD emerged near communication routes. Early examples include those designed by Ildefonso Cerdá in Barcelona and Carlos María de Castro in Madrid (e.g., Barrio de Salamanca).

Peripheral Developments

• Working-class and industrial suburbs: Located near main roads or railway stations, with diverse building sizes and quality, integrated into the city.
• Residential areas:
• Garden neighborhoods: Inspired by Ebenezer Howard’s garden city concept. Ciudad Lineal by Arturo Soria is a prime example, with a wide main street and family houses with gardens.
• Affordable housing neighborhoods: Developed under low-cost housing legislation (1911 and 1922).

Currently, old industrial sites are being transformed, and former working-class neighborhoods are being replaced by middle and upper-middle-class housing.

The Periphery and Urban Expansion

Residential Districts

• Slums and shantytowns: Illegally developed areas lacking basic services. Some have been converted into official housing developments (1940-1960).
• State-aided housing: Constructed with government support, often in large housing projects.
• Privately developed housing: Often of lower quality.
• Single-family housing areas: Became prevalent from the 1980s.

Industrial Areas

Industrial estates emerged from the 1950s and 1960s.

Major Equipment

Hypermarkets, leisure areas, sports facilities, etc., developed on the periphery.

Peripheral Growth and Urban Structure

Peripheral growth throughout the 20th century was linked to rural migration. Its expansion often occurred in a disordered manner, exceeding natural boundaries and encroaching on the city itself. This rapid growth often disrupted the orthogonal layout of the bourgeois expansion. Major roads connected the periphery to the center, requiring ring roads. Irregular urban parks emerged in peri-urban areas. Public spaces were scarce, mainly located in central neighborhoods, serving as traffic distribution points.

Urban Functions

The modern city is defined by various functions applied to different areas:

• Residential areas: Diverse types and neighborhoods on the periphery.
• Industrial areas: Currently tending to relocate to industrial estates outside the city.
• Commercial areas: Scattered throughout the city, concentrated in the CBD. Small shops in historical centers and department stores on the periphery.
• Urban production units: Mixed rural and urban areas with residential housing in contact with nature.
• Business areas: Concentrated in the CBD, with easy accessibility, high traffic, limited parking, high building density, and high real estate prices.

3. The System of Cities in Spain

Characteristics of the Spanish Urban System

• Madrid is the dominant inland urban center with a significant area of influence. Other inland areas have lower urbanization levels, except for Valladolid and Zaragoza.
• Cities are arranged in a peripheral semi-ring along the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro Valley, Andalusia, Galicia, the Cantabrian coast, and tourist areas of the archipelagos.
• Cities are concentrated in the northeast: Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, and Bilbao.
• The establishment of autonomous communities has led to a more balanced urban system, with recent growth in communities with previously low urbanization rates.
• The system reflects a polarized development model, with areas favored by industrial development plans, tourism, and transportation, while others have received less investment, resulting in regions with limited urban development.
• Regional governments have promoted the growth of regional hubs and local initiatives to develop metropolitan areas, create new urban spaces, and invest in infrastructure.

Urban Subsystems

Madrid

Madrid has been a major city since becoming the capital in 1561. Its importance is due to industrial development, services, and the concentration of administrative functions. Its radial road network and central location have facilitated its growth.

Northern Axis

This subsystem includes cities in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, and Navarre. Coastal ports have promoted economic and urban development. Asturias and the Basque Country experienced industrial growth in the 19th century and the 1960s, attracting internal migration. Future development is linked to communication channels (e.g., Transcantabrico railway, high-speed rail to Portugal, highways to the interior). This axis has lower density and continuity than other axes.

Mediterranean Coast Axis

The most important axis, extending from Catalonia to Cartagena in Murcia. Coastal location and tourism development have driven growth. Barcelona and Valencia experienced significant industrial growth and have extensive transport infrastructure.

Andalusian City Network

Divided into two parts: the coastal axis from Almeria to Huelva, linked to coastal activities and tourism, and an inland axis along the Guadalquivir River, encompassing Seville, Huelva, Cadiz, Cordoba, and Jaen. Improved transport infrastructure has connected these axes and linked Seville and Granada with the Spanish Mediterranean area.

Ebro Valley Axis

Zaragoza is the main city, strategically located equidistant from Madrid, Catalonia, and the Basque Country, with good connections to Europe.

The Ranking of Spanish Cities

The Spanish urban system exhibits a hierarchy of cities with varying levels of dependency.