Urbanization Stages: Pre-Industrial to Post-Industrial

Posted on Apr 14, 2025 in Geography

Urbanization Process: A Historical Overview

Pre-Industrial Urbanization

Pre-industrial urbanization encompasses the origins of cities up to the beginning of the industrial era (19th century). During this period, urbanization rates did not exceed 10% of the population, and the average city size ranged from 5 to 10 million inhabitants. Key factors favoring urban development included:

  • Strategic-military considerations
  • Political-administrative functions
  • Economic activities
  • Religious significance

This process can be divided into three stages:

Origins and Romanization

In the context of Spain, the Phoenician and Greek presence is not considered colonization but rather the establishment of factories to exploit resources. Some of these settlements evolved into cities, such as Cádiz. Romanization led to the founding of numerous cities of Roman origin (Zaragoza, Cartagena, Seville, Valencia, etc.) and the establishment of communication routes, notably roadways.

Middle Ages: Urban Revival

The decline of Roman power and the Germanic invasions resulted in a period of de-urbanization (3rd century onwards), with cities disappearing or transforming into rural settlements and religious sites. A new phase emerged during the Middle Ages in two distinct areas:

  • Muslim Influence: Following the invasion of 711, new cities were founded (Madrid), and existing settlements were revitalized. As Christian rule expanded, Muslim inhabitants were often expelled or marginalized.
  • Christian Era: Urban life was limited until the 10th century, when municipalities began to emerge. From the 12th and 13th centuries, a process of urban redevelopment took place.

Urbanization in the Modern Age

The Modern Age experienced fluctuations in urbanization. The 16th century saw continued urban growth due to population increase, economic expansion, and political-military power. However, the 17th century witnessed stagnation due to demographic and economic crises. The 18th century marked a revival of the urbanization process, driven by demographic and economic recovery.

Industrial Urbanization

Industrial urbanization extended from the peak of the industrial revolution to the economic crisis of 1975. This stage was characterized by significant urban growth that surpassed the rural population. Key factors included administrative, economic, and social elements.

Four stages can be distinguished:

  1. Until the mid-19th century: Demographic concentration was limited.
  2. Mid-19th Century to the Civil War: The rate of urbanization doubled, driven by industry attracting people from rural areas.
  3. Civil War and Post-War Period: Growth slowed due to problems affecting cities. The Franco regime favored rural populations through autarkic policies, but economic growth still promoted urban development. The urban-industrial triangle of the Northeast (Cantabrian-Barcelona-Madrid) began to form.
  4. Development Stage: This period saw the largest economic and urban expansion of the 20th century. The expansion of industry attracted labor from rural areas, increasing the urban population by 30%, mainly in the northeastern triangle.

Post-Industrial Urbanization

Since 1975, changes in the urbanization process have ushered in a new stage. These changes include:

  1. Declining Urban Growth Rate: This occurs in two stages. The first stage involves a stable urbanization rate, with growth continuing but at a slower pace. The second stage involves a decrease. Spanish cities are currently in the first stage.
  2. Changing Factors in Urban Development: Two key changes are evident: the declining importance of industry due to the 1975 crisis, deindustrialization, and the trend of industrial production to disperse. This statement requires qualification: in areas with a strong industrial tradition, industry remains a primary factor but tends to decrease. New and high-tech industries are attracted by large metropolises with better services and equipment. This helps reduce urban sprawl. Tertiary activities gain importance as a factor in urban planning, especially in large metropolises (Madrid, Barcelona), tourist regions (Balearic Islands), and less advanced regions (Andalusia, Extremadura).
  3. End of Growth Process in Largest Cities: This process is due to the saturation of large cities, resulting in the “dispersion of urbanization” that extends the city’s borders across increasingly wider areas.