Evolution of Spanish Cities: From Periphery to Global Hubs

Growth of Peripheral Neighborhoods

New neighborhoods emerging on the outskirts of cities often lack essential infrastructure like sanitation, electricity, and water. These rapidly developing areas, sometimes illegally established, are known as barrios de autoconstrucción. Neighborhood associations formed to demand improvements, gradually transforming these settlements into towns and, eventually, contributing to the expansion of metropolitan areas.

The Rise of the Automobile

The rapid urban growth necessitated faster transportation, leading to the car's prominence. This unplanned expansion continued until the end of the 1970s.

The Post-Industrial City

Post-industrial Spain is marked by the dominance of Madrid and Barcelona, two extensive metropolitan areas. Spain now boasts around 20 metropolitan areas, including Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, and Malaga. Madrid and Barcelona alone account for 20% of Spain's total population.

Towards Sustainability

A key trend in post-industrial cities is the pursuit of sustainability and ecological balance, a goal championed by the European Union. The 2007 Leipzig Charter outlines objectives for sustainable urban development:

1. Promoting economic prosperity while controlling speculation and creating quality public spaces.
2. Encouraging social equity by addressing the needs of the poorest neighborhoods.
3. Protecting the cultural development of European cities.

Cities in a Global World

Beyond economic integration, cities are also becoming globally interconnected. A global city requires strong communication networks and serves as a hub for various planetary-scale flows, including business, trade, and tourism.

Cooperation and Competition

Two major trends shape today's global cities: cooperation and competition.

Cooperation

Becoming a global city is challenging, leading some cities to cooperate for mutual benefit. The C6 network exemplifies this, facilitating technology and experience exchange between cities in France and Spain, such as Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Toulouse, and Montpellier.

Competition

Global cities require robust transportation and communication infrastructure to connect with the world. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid prioritize airports and other connections. Cultivating a strong international image is also crucial, leading to investments in marketing, tourism promotion, and iconic architecture. Competition also extends to hosting international events like the Olympic Games.