Characteristics of the Spanish Urban System
Characteristics of the Spanish Urban System
The Spanish urban system consists of a set of interconnected cities, characterized by their size and function. Spain has 15 urban agglomerations exceeding 500,000 inhabitants, including the metropolitan areas of Madrid and Barcelona. Following these 15, there are several cities with populations between 150,000 and 400,000 inhabitants, reflecting the recent growth of medium-sized cities. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of cities is centered around the largest urban agglomeration (Madrid), with other large cities in the periphery, and a less urbanized interior with small and medium-sized cities.
Urban Functions
Urban functions are the main socio-economic activities within a city. Cities are classified as follows:
- Primary Cities: Specializing in primary sector activities. Example: Some mining towns in Asturias.
- Secondary Cities: Specializing in industry (e.g., some cities in the Basque Country) or construction (e.g., Málaga).
- Tertiary Cities: Specializing in all types of services (e.g., Santa Cruz de Tenerife).
The Spanish Urban Hierarchy
- Metropolis: Major conurbations with over 200,000 people, diverse functions, and a wide area of influence.
- National Metropolis: Madrid and Barcelona, with populations exceeding 3 million. They have numerous functions and national influence, as well as close relationships with international metropolises.
- Regional Metropolises: Valencia, Málaga, Bilbao, etc., with populations between 500,000 and 1.5 million. They have diverse functions and regional influence, in addition to strong relationships with the national metropolis.
- Sub-metropolis: Valladolid or Pamplona, with populations between 200,000 and 500,000. They have diversified and specialized functions, with subregional or regional influence, especially in autonomous provinces.
- Cities: Similar population size to sub-metropolises, but with less diversified functions.
- Small Cities or Towns: Populations between 10,000 and 50,000 (e.g., Astorga). They have limited and specialized functions, but some may have specific expertise.
Urban Relations
These are the economic, administrative, and informational relationships between cities. Madrid maintains intense relationships with other cities, especially Barcelona. Barcelona’s influence is weaker overall but intense in the eastern and northeastern quadrant, including the Balearic Islands. The largest area of integration is Madrid-Barcelona-Valencia-Bilbao-Zaragoza. Other connections are weaker, with incomplete disconnection in the area bordering Portugal (except Galicia).
The System of Cities and Changes
Around Spain’s main urban center, Madrid, which boasts the best tertiary functions and connections with other major Spanish cities, the following areas are arranged in a semi-ring:
- Galician Atlantic Axis: Ranges along the coast of Galicia, Orense, and Lugo, specializing in trade.
- Cantabrian Axis: Includes Asturias, Santander, and the Basque Country, with ramifications to León, Burgos, and Logroño. It is currently undergoing adjustments.
- Mediterranean Axis: From Girona to Cartagena. It is the most dynamic, with diversified industry and strong services, especially tourism.
- Ebro Valley Axis: Connects the Cantabrian and Mediterranean axes, with Zaragoza as the principal city. There is a dynamic balance between manufacturing and services.
- Andalusian Axis: Divided into the coastal axis (dynamic, specializing in trade, tourism, and tech agriculture) and the Guadalquivir Valley axis (less dynamic, with cities linked to agriculture, industry, and tourism).
The interior peninsular axis lacks integrated urban areas, predominantly featuring small towns specializing in agri-food, trade. The Balearic and Canary Islands, being constrained by their island status, have capital cities that serve as autonomous motors, driven by tourism.
Recent Changes in the Urban System
Changes Caused by the State of Autonomies
The State of Autonomies favors the growth of regional capitals and relationships within each autonomous community. Regional urban systems are of several types:
- Monocentric Primate: One main agglomeration with no intermediaries and unidirectional, dependent relationships. Example: Madrid.
- Monocentric Hierarchical: A main urban area concentrates most of the population and regional functions, but intermediate cities exist, broadcasting flows in a hierarchical form. Example: La Rioja.
- Polycentric: Two or more cities share hegemony, maintaining two-way flows among themselves and unidirectional flows with smaller cities. Example: Galicia.