Urban Growth and Long-Term Transformations in Spanish Cities Since the Mid-Nineteenth Century: A Methodology to Determine Changes in Urban Density.

Alvarez Palau, Eduard; Martí Henneberg, Jordi; Solanas, Jorge

doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su11246948

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Issue date

2019-12-15

Author

Alvarez Palau, Eduard

Martí Henneberg, Jordi

Solanas, Jorge

Suggested citation

Alvarez Palau, Eduard; Martí Henneberg, Jordi; Solanas, Jorge; . (2019) . Urban Growth and Long-Term Transformations in Spanish Cities Since the Mid-Nineteenth Century: A Methodology to Determine Changes in Urban Density.. Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, núm. 24, p. 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11246948.

Abstract

The current work models urban growth in the continuous built-up areas of 47 Spanish cities from the mid-nineteenth century through to the present day. We did this by compiling a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) dataset, based on a series of historic maps and aerial images, and then used this to study urban growth and to make spatial comparisons. Our chosen indicator of expansion: population density, was calculated by dividing the total population of each city (based on its municipal area) by its built-up area during each period. Our results revealed four different stages of growth, each of which was characterised by a certain political and economic reality. They showed the clogging up of the walled city, the shaping of the urban ensanches, the maturity of the compact city and the process of metropolisation.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/67783

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11246948

Is part of

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, núm. 24, p. 1-22

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Articles publicats (Geografia i Sociologia) [537]

Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as cc-by (c) authors, 2019