Urban Growth and Long-Term Transformations in Spanish Cities Since the Mid-Nineteenth Century: A Methodology to Determine Changes in Urban Density

Eduard J. Alvarez-Palau, Jordi Martí-Henneberg and Jorge Solanas-Jiménez
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Eduard J. Alvarez-Palau: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Jordi Martí-Henneberg: University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain
Jorge Solanas-Jiménez: University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 24, 1-22

Abstract: The current work models urban growth in the continuous built-up areas of 47 Spanish cities from the mid-nineteenth century through to the present day. We did this by compiling a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) dataset, based on a series of historic maps and aerial images, and then used this to study urban growth and to make spatial comparisons. Our chosen indicator of expansion: population density, was calculated by dividing the total population of each city (based on its municipal area) by its built-up area during each period. Our results revealed four different stages of growth, each of which was characterised by a certain political and economic reality. They showed the clogging up of the walled city, the shaping of the urban ensanches , the maturity of the compact city and the process of metropolisation.

Keywords: urbanisation; population density; built-up area; GIS; Spain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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