Evolution of Urban Structures: From Ancient to Modern Cities

Urban Structure

Urban structure refers to the division of a city into areas with distinct characteristics in terms of morphology and function.

Old Town

The old town represents the legacy of the pre-industrial era. It is the part of the city that existed before industrialization. Pre-industrial cities often share common characteristics:

• Irregular Layout: The street layout was often irregular, although some examples of flat, linear, or grid patterns also exist.
• Walled Enclosures: Most were surrounded by walls for defense, taxation, and health purposes.
• Closed Plots: Buildings were predominantly low-rise.
• Mixed Land Use: Different activities were intermingled, although some neighborhoods specialized in certain activities.
• Social Stratification: Various social groups coexisted, with the elite and main buildings in the center and workers on the periphery.

Roman City

Roman cities had a regular, grid-like plan with two main streets intersecting at the forum, where important buildings were located. Examples include Zaragoza, Leon, and Tarragona.

Medieval City

Medieval cities incorporated cultural contributions:

• Muslim City: Featured a walled core with main buildings (mosque, market) and working-class neighborhoods outside the walls. The layout was irregular. Examples include Cordoba, Toledo, and Seville.
• Christian City: Surrounded by walls, with varied levels and prominent buildings like churches and palaces.

Renaissance City

The Renaissance saw the creation of new, more regular neighborhoods with town halls and markets. Major streets were opened, and important buildings (town halls, monasteries, palaces) were given more space through the demolition of older homes.

Baroque and Enlightenment City

During the Baroque and Enlightenment periods, cities were embellished with large squares, wide, straight streets, gardens, and promenades. Infrastructure and buildings were improved.

Transformations of the Industrial Age

The industrial age brought significant changes to urban planning:

19th Century Reforms

Reforms in the 19th century impacted historic centers. The first half of the century focused on widening streets and squares. The second half aimed to build large avenues (like Gran Via in Madrid) and install tertiary functions (shops, cafes, theaters) in buildings, renewing adjacent streets (Madrid, Barcelona).

Renewal Policies

Renewal policies in the 1960s aimed to increase land returns, leading to the destruction of parts of the old town. Buildings were reused and verticalized, with houses becoming collective homes.

Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Historicism emerged, mixing historical styles and incorporating new materials. In the 1960s, old buildings were replaced by new ones. Some places adopted conservationist policies due to building deterioration and neglect.

Land Use

Renovated buildings were used for tertiary activities, consolidating the old town center as a hub for trade and business, leading to area saturation.

Social Impact

The industrial bourgeoisie occupied the most valued spaces, while low-income groups occupied other districts, which suffered significant deterioration.

Current Changes

In the post-industrial era, integrated rehabilitation policies have been implemented in old towns, with varying degrees of success. Key initiatives include pedestrianization, widening streets and plazas, landscaping, grants for building rehabilitation, and combining traditional practices with new activities.