The Huerta Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific Huertas

Pablo Martí and Clara García-Mayor
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Pablo Martí: Urban Design and Regional Planning Unit, Building Sciences and Urbanism Department, University of Alicante, E-03080 Alicante, Spain
Clara García-Mayor: Urban Design and Regional Planning Unit, Building Sciences and Urbanism Department, University of Alicante, E-03080 Alicante, Spain

Land, 2020, vol. 9, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: The Huerta is recognised as one of the 13 specific agricultural landscapes in Europe, present in only three Mediterranean countries, namely Spain, Italy, and Greece. In the case of Spain, three areas fall within the established Huerta agricultural classification: the Huertas de Valencia , Murcia , and Vega Baja . While all of them share common landscape features, each Huerta has distinguishing singularities which are approached through two perspectives: firstly, the structural tangible elements, related to functional networks—water distribution, pathways networks, settlement patterns, and the agricultural production system; and secondly, the role of the intangible components—connotations of the word Huerta , water management, canal and path upkeep rules, and the administration of these territories. The analysis of the tangible elements and intangible components in the three Spanish Huertas shows these territories as complex and balanced systems that have historically counterbalanced the environmental drawbacks in one of the most arid European regions. Despite being a highly appreciated environmental and productive asset, these Huertas are under intense pressure from urban development in highly urbanized metropolitan areas. This study shows Huertas’ uniqueness through their historical role in the territorial planning and management strategies at the local level, finally depicting Huertas as a present strategical opportunity for reaching environmental goals in peri-urban areas.

Keywords: Huerta landscape; water landscapes; peri-urban agricultural landscape; resilient landscape; immaterial heritage; Spanish Mediterranean Huertas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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