Urbanization Stages: Preindustrial to Postindustrial
Preindustrial Urbanization
Origins (9th-8th Century BC)
Urban development began modestly, with populations stabilizing around 5,000-10,000 people, representing less than 10% of the total population. Phoenician and Greek colonization established trading posts along the Mediterranean coast, some evolving into cities like Cadiz and Ampurias.
Roman Period
Romanization led to the founding of numerous cities, many of which (Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Zaragoza) remain important today. The Romans also created a unified urban road network. The decline of Roman power and Germanic invasions triggered a de-urbanization phase from the 3rd century.
Middle Ages
In Muslim-controlled areas, some new cities were founded (Madrid), while others (Zaragoza, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga) were revitalized. The Reconquista saw these cities come under Christian rule, with existing inhabitants often expelled or segregated. Urban life in Christian territories remained limited.
Modern Age (16th-18th Centuries)
The 16th century saw urban growth driven by population increase, economic expansion, and Habsburg rule. Growth stagnated in the 17th century due to economic crisis, but revived in the 18th century under the Bourbons.
Industrial Urbanization (19th Century – 1975)
This period, marked by rapid urbanization, saw significant rural-to-urban migration. Administrative and socio-economic factors fueled this growth.
Four Stages of Industrial Development
- Mid-19th Century: Limited urban concentration.
- Mid-19th Century – Civil War: Significant urban growth, doubling urbanization rates.
- Civil War & Post-War: Slowed growth due to urban deterioration and supply issues.
- 20th Century: Rapid urban expansion driven by industrialization and a baby boom, particularly in the northeast, increasing urban populations by 30%.
Postindustrial Urbanization (1975-Present)
The 1975 economic and industrial crisis significantly altered urbanization trends in Spain from 1981 onwards.
Key Changes
- Slowed Growth: An initial stabilization of urbanization rates followed by urban decline.
- Shifting Factors: Industry’s importance diminished due to de-industrialization and the spatial distribution of new industrial production.
- Decentralization: Growth of large cities slowed in favor of medium and small cities, and even nearby rural towns, due to large city saturation and decentralization of economic activities.
Urban Areas
Metropolitan Areas
Large urban sprawls surrounding major cities, encompassing multiple municipalities, characterized by:
- A central city whose economic activity drives the area’s growth.
- Economic and social relations between the central city and surrounding areas.
- A crucial communications network connecting the area’s components.
Managing metropolitan areas involves addressing urban settlements, economic activities, transportation, and undeveloped spaces.
Other Types of Conurbation
- Conurbation: Contiguous urban area formed by the merging of two or more cities, like Malaga and Marbella.
- Urban Region: Integrated urban area with scattered but densely populated cities exhibiting urban characteristics, such as Asturias.
- Megalopolis: Superregional urbanization, such as Spain’s Mediterranean axis from the French border to Cartagena, encompassing the metropolitan areas of Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante, along with tourist and industrial conurbations of medium and small industrial towns.