Comprehensive Analysis of the Development of Peri-Urban Areas in the Mid-twentieth Century through Social, Territory and Urban Planning Point of View: The case of Ca n'Anglada

Abstract

In the Spanish context of urban planning during the late period of the Franco regime between 1956 and 1975, many settlements in the Spanish territory experienced significant growth due to the high migratory influx and the emergence of new economic paradigms, in many cases without approved urban planning, which led to economic, social, and territorial dysfunctions that persist today. An illustrative case of this scenario is the Ca n’Anglada neighborhood, located in the municipality of Terrassa, Catalonia. This study aims to illustrate how a structured and interdisciplinary analysis of territorial, social, and urban planning aspects in a specific area enables an accurate depiction of the urban challenges stemming from the expansive period in Spanish territories. The objective is to establish a solid foundation for guiding future urban regeneration operations. To achieve this goal, aerial maps of the most relevant periods have been analyzed to assess the neighborhood's growth in comparison with the urban planning regulations. Additionally, population data for each period and the available literature about the neighborhoods development and its specific problems have been examined, highlighting the differences between urban reality and applied regulations. By examining these three aspects simultaneously yet interrelated, this study seeks to obtain a thorough understanding of the current situation in a neighborhood with significant territorial, social, and economic complexity.