Key Characteristics of Urban Development and Constraints
Characteristics and Constraints of Urban Development
Every city, whether large or small, is characterized by a series of morphological and structural features that logically vary according to the season. Given this evolution, we must analyze the following characteristics and constraints:
Census Data and Reliability
In the ancient and medieval eras, censuses simply did not exist. In the modern age, they were first performed, but only over very long periods and were quite debatable. Only in the contemporary age are censuses considered reliable.
Geographic Location and Urban Development
Geographic location is a fundamental trait that characterizes and conditions the city. The location affects the development of the city; for example, Toledo chose its location for defensive reasons.
Land Use and Economic Agents
Soil changes according to its use and provides a physical embodiment of the city's activities. We must take into account four economic agents that influence land use:
- Owner
- Construction and real estate developers
- Public authorities
- Members
Urban Structure: Core and Periphery
The urban structure usually features an old town where the most important buildings are located, alongside a continually growing periphery.
Infrastructure and Essential Urban Services
Infrastructure and urban equipment determine the quality of city life, but there are always minimum essential services that cannot be eliminated:
- Light (Electricity)
- Cemetery
- Sanitary service
- Education buildings
- Sewerage and paving
Economic Factors Shaping City Wealth
The increase or decrease in a city's wealth is highly dependent on its economy. For example, a city dedicated to agriculture or livestock is not the same as one where industry or trade are more important economic factors.
Social Structure and Class Distribution
Social structure changed dramatically following the Industrial Revolution. Previously, power in the countryside and the city was wielded by the nobility and high clergy. The Industrial Revolution absolutely changed this: the bourgeoisie took power, and workers replaced the vassals. The heart of the city and residential areas are typically populated by the upper and middle bourgeoisie, while the periphery and arrabales (outskirts) are populated by the lower classes.
Urban Planning and Geometric Rationalization
Urbanistic projections arose from the Industrial Revolution, implementing plans that attempt to geometrically rationalize urban growth. The most common models are the reticular (grid) and the radiocentric, although less successful alignment plans, such as the linear city, are also used.
Regulation and Institutionalization of Urban Space
In Spain, starting in the 1940s, there was an institutionalization of urban space—meaning the regulation and management of city growth through planning and legislation. This continued the mentality of ensanche (expansion), which often generated situations of shacks and informal settlements due to rapid immigration and growth.
Urban Areas of Influence and Rural Interaction
All cities have an area of influence surrounding them, affecting the region to a greater or lesser degree depending on the city's size. Conversely, though to a lesser extent, the city also receives influence from rural areas, such as agricultural products and livestock.