Madrid's Urban History: Walls, Planning, and Capital Status

Madrid's Urban Evolution: Walls and Planning

Initial Urban Planning and Context

José López Sallaberry and Francisco Andrés Octavio created the initial layout of the Gran Vía in 1910, which included the relocation of the Cibeles Fountain.

Olgyay's diagram shows the type of materials and construction systems suitable for achieving thermal comfort, taking into account the external climatic conditions.

The Foundations of Mayrit (Arab Madrid)

The Mayrit of the Arabs

• Origin: Madrid (Mayrit) was originally an Arab settlement, established around 850 by order of the Umayyad emir Muhammad I.
• Fortifications: The initial defensive structure included a fortress and a military citadel. The Arab wall, remnants of which can be seen near the Almudena Cathedral, was built on a promontory by the Manzanares River.
• Urban Areas: Muslim Madrid had two main areas: the fortress and noble neighborhood in the almudaina, and the medina, which had two residential neighborhoods for Muslims and Christians.

Christian Madrid and Early Expansion

The Map of Christian Madrid

• Reconquest and Expansion: After the Reconquest, Madrid became part of the Crown of Castile. The original walled area was expanded to include new neighborhoods.
• Christian Wall: This wall protected a much larger area than the Muslim wall and included streets named after the moat surrounding the structure.

Growth and the Plaza Mayor

Growth Beyond the Walls (15th Century)

Madrid continued to grow beyond the wall limits, becoming one of the seventeen places with a vote in the Cortes.

Population Growth: The population increased significantly from 5,000 in the late 15th century to 12,000 by the early 16th century.

Plaza del Arrabal and Plaza Mayor

A new wall, called the Arrabal, was built to accommodate growth and manage a plague epidemic. Within this wall was the Plaza del Arrabal, which later became the Plaza Mayor.

Madrid as the Imperial Capital

Madrid Becomes the Capital (Philip II)

Philip II made Madrid the capital in 1561, leading to rapid growth. A new wall was built for fiscal and sanitary control.

Population and Convents: The population grew to 15,000, and new establishments like convents and hospitals appeared.

Philip IV's Fiscal Wall

Under Philip IV, the population tripled, necessitating a new wall for fiscal and surveillance purposes. The wall of Philip IV was not defensive but aimed primarily to control goods and taxes.

Modern Expansion and Ring Roads

19th Century Urban Expansion

In 1860, the wall was demolished under the Plan Castro, leading to organized urban growth and the establishment of the first ring road (M-10), which now marks the historic center.

20th Century Developments and Planning

• Second Ring Road (M-20): Planned as the Paseo de Ronda, it marked the limit of new urban development. However, rapid suburban growth resulted in an uneven urban layout.
• Bidagor Plan and M-30: The Plan Bidagor of 1946 proposed the third ring road (M-30) to manage further urban expansion and redevelopment, including shanty towns and speculative developments.