From Ancient Towns to Modern Metropolises: Understanding Urban Development

Cities vs. Villages

A city is a place with a population exceeding 10,000 inhabitants. Cities are characterized by high-rise buildings, factories, businesses, and historical districts. In contrast, villages are smaller settlements with limited businesses, few inhabitants, fewer services, and a predominantly agricultural economy.

Pre-Industrial Cities

In the pre-industrial era, less than 10% of the population resided in cities, which typically housed between 5,000 to 10,000 people. These cities served various functions:

• Military
• Administrative
• Economic
• Religious

The Classic City (9th-8th Centuries BC)

During this period, Phoenicians and Greeks established trading posts along the coasts of Hispania. The Romanization of these areas marked the beginning of urbanization. Roman city planning, inspired by the Greek Hippodamus of Miletus, transitioned from military camps to structured colonies. These cities featured a grid layout with two main axes (north-south and east-west) intersecting at the forum. Public spaces were prominent, and a wall typically enclosed the city.

The Medieval City

Muslims established new cities and revitalized existing settlements, emphasizing their strategic, administrative, and commercial roles. These cities often featured a maze of streets surrounding a central bazaar and mosque, with the old city enclosed within walls. Christian cities, on the other hand, developed around a market square dominated by a cathedral and city council.

The Modern City

Few new towns were founded on the Iberian Peninsula during the modern age, with the exception of those established by the Bourbons in the Sierra Morena. However, existing strategic cities saw the construction of new star-shaped walls. The checkerboard street plan, dividing the city into blocks, was implemented in new American cities.

The Industrial City

The Industrial Revolution brought about a complete transformation of cities. Textile and metallurgical factories attracted a large influx of workers, leading to significant population growth. The bourgeoisie migrated from the old city centers, creating new residential areas. The old city and slums became overcrowded with the working class. New towns followed a planned grid layout, featuring wide streets, gardens, and spacious homes. Railway stations connected these new urban areas. The division of kingdoms into provinces further fueled urban growth, with new capital cities emerging. The 1960s and 1970s witnessed intensified urbanization, marked by the development of industrial centers, metropolitan areas, and tourist destinations.

Urban Morphology and Structure

Aparence is influenced by: Its location,the plane,the layout of buildings, the land use,that depend on functions having the city

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