Madrid Urban Evolution: From 1561 to Modern Planning

Madrid: Historical Urban Evolution

The Capital Shift and Early Growth (1561–1750)

In 1561, the capital moved from Toledo to Madrid. The Regalia de Aposento was introduced as a new law for court member accommodation, leading to the creation of "Las casas de la malicia" (Trick Houses). The city experienced significant population growth:

• 1561: 12,700 people
• 1571: 42,000 people
• 1618: 108,000 people
• 1850: 220,000 people

Key developments included the Felipe IV wall in 1625 (the boundary of the Teixeira map) and urban improvements between 1600 and 1750, such as the Buen Retiro, the Town Hall, and new urban promenades.

Monumental Transformation and Squares

Carlos III (1759–1771) oversaw a major urban and monumental transformation led by architects Ventura Rodríguez, Juan de Villanueva, and Francesco Sabatini. Significant urban spaces were later redefined by the desamortizaciones (confiscations).

Main Squares of Madrid

• Plaza Mayor: Felipe II ordered construction in 1580 under Juan de Herrera. Later work included the Casa de la Panadería by Fco. Mora and Diego Sillero (1590) and Juan Gómez de Mora.
• Puerta del Sol: The 1859 project by Lucio del Valle.
• Plaza de Oriente: Designed in 1846 by Narciso Pascual y Colomer.
• Plaza de Tirso de Molina: Formerly the Old Mercedes Convent (1836).
• Plaza de Santa Ana: Formerly the Old Carmelitas Descalzas Convent (Mendizábal, 1836).

Defensive Walls and Expansion

Madrid's defensive history includes the 9th-century Islamic wall, the 12th-century Christian wall, the 14th-century Enrique IV wall, the 1566 Felipe II wall (fiscal and hygienic), and the 1625 Felipe IV wall (control and fiscal).

The Ensanche (1860–1915)

The Ensanche was a preliminary project approved by Isabel II in 1860, designed by architect Carlos María de Castro. It defined block boundaries, street widths (15m, 20m, 30m), and building heights. It expanded the city by 1,494 hectares with a 19km perimeter.

Ciudad Lineal (1894)

Designed by Arturo Soria y Mata (Compañía Madrileña de Urbanización), this 58km ring road linked the villages surrounding Madrid.

Perceived Landscape Analysis

Landscape is defined by the interaction between the Observer and Nature. Perception elements include:

• Observer: Interpretation and sense.
• Ambient: Atmosphere, light, sound, and fragrance.
• Environment: Physical, biological, and anthropic factors.

External Observatories Analysis

• Distant (>4000m): Territorial tonalities; texture differentiation is difficult.
• Intermediate (500m–4000m): Textures and colors are distinguishable.
• Close (0m–500m): Objects are clearly defined with visible shape, texture, and color.