Industrial Zones: Types, Causes, and Implications

Types of Industrial Zones

Metropolitan Crowns

Several types of industrial zones exist. Metropolitan crowns in outlying urban areas have declined. In the process of replanting, they are recipients of Public Employment Offices (PEO). Some cases involve traditional industries relocated from metropolitan core areas, seeking to reduce costs and do business. These industries are located in industrial estates. In other cases, the crowns attract innovative companies that are installed in technological parks.

Peri-Urban Fringes

These are in the transition zone between the urban and industrial rural areas. They are small, thinly capitalized, and in need of unskilled and flexible labor. They engage in traditional production jobs, outsourcing, or processing resources. Surrounding polygons are in the attached vessels.

Industrial Development Axes

These are located along major thoroughfares. At the national level, the main axes are the Ebro Valley and the Mediterranean. At regional and district levels, some axes were developed, such as the network environment that extends toward Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, and indoor exercise along major roads (e.g., the Tordesillas-Valladolid-Palencia highway).

Rural Areas

These areas feature small industries, thinly capitalized, and in need of unskilled labor. They are cheap and, in more frequent cases, flexible. Examples include small workshops, relocated urban enterprises, or those promoted by locals. Innovative businesses also emerge.

Areas of Industrial Decline and Industrialization

Areas of Marked Industrial Decline

These are located on the Cantabrian coast and some specific sites.

Causes:

• Specialization in mature sectors, characterized by large dependencies.
• Growth of manufacturing and urban SMEs is very disorganized.

Implications:

• Deindustrialization
• Demographic decline due to emigration
• Loss of competitiveness

Some areas are being revitalized (e.g., the Basque Country).

Areas of Industrialization: Induced and Low

Induced:

Aragon, Castilla y León, and Andalusia are areas where industrial enclaves were established in provincial capitals, in addition to traditional industries.

Low:

Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands have traditional sectors with low competitiveness.