Urban Development: A Historical Perspective
1. The Preindustrial City
The Roman City
Rome created a dense urban network and hierarchy, connected by roads. Prominent cities included Emerita Augusta (Mérida), Toletum (Toledo), Tarraco (Tarragona), and Caesaragusta (Zaragoza).
The Medieval City
During the 9th and 10th centuries, while Christians in the north lived in rural areas or scattered villages, the Arabs established numerous cities.
The Modern City
In the 16th and 17th centuries, cities lost political influence due to state centralization.
Read MoreEconomic and Social Crisis in Medieval Iberia
Economic and Social Crisis in Medieval Iberia
The Demographic Crisis
Iberia underwent a process of continuous growth since the eleventh century. This growth led to the recruitment and exploitation of lands conquered from the Muslims and fueled the wars of conquest. At the beginning of the 14th century, stagnation occurred, marked by crop failures, land abandonment, and food shortages.
In 1348-1351, the Black Death, originating from Asia, penetrated the Iberian Peninsula along the Mediterranean coast
Read MoreUrban Morphology: City Shapes, Plans, and Networks
Urban Morphology: City Shapes and Layouts
Defining City Morphology
Urban morphology studies the shape of a city as a whole, describing its physical form and structure.
Factors Shaping City Morphology
Two primary aspects shape a city’s morphology:
- Street Layout and Features: This includes the arrangement, width, length, and curvature of streets, impacting the city’s overall organization.
- Buildings: Building facades contribute significantly to a neighborhood’s character and the city’s visual identity.
City
Urban & Population Glossary: Key Terms Explained
Urban & Population Glossary
Demographic Concepts
Population Movements
Pendular Movements: Population movements of repetitive and moderate duration. The most common occur between places of residence and work, or between suburbs and central cities. This often results from the transfer of residence to the outskirts or rural areas near the city, which offer cheaper housing and a better environment.
Population Data
Municipal Register: The register of residents in each municipality. It collects demographic,
Read MoreInternal Migration in Spain During the 20th Century
Internal Migration in Spain During the 20th Century
Migratory movements within Spain are a characteristic demographic phenomenon. Internal migration has had a decisive influence on the country’s history, exceeding external migration in quantitative significance. Causes are mainly economic (unemployment, population pressure, labor needs), reflecting national conditions and creating regional imbalances. Various types of internal migration exist, categorized by time and location:
- Seasonal/Short-Term:
19th Century Spanish Social Classes and Movements
2 The Popular Classes in 19th Century Spain
The term “agrumanos classes” referred to the socially disadvantaged groups during the liberal revolution in Spain. This included traditional artisans, farmers, poor laborers, and the emerging proletariat brought about by industrialization.
2.1 Artisans and Urban Groups
The urban lower classes primarily worked in service sectors. Women often found employment in domestic service, with approximately one-quarter of the female population working in this field,
Read More