Regional development models: sustainaible planning strategies in Cantabria

Abstract

Urban sprawl is now transforming the land use pattern of Spanish cities from the compact to the dispersed city, which eventually has shown to be less sustainable. Polycentric systems based on decentralised concentration are possible solutions for a more balanced territory. In this paper, the urban hierarchy of Cantabria (Spain) is analyzed using a comparison based on Nelson's index and being services, work centres, and the relations of intermunicipal dependence to accede to retail and services the input data. The results have served to propose a territorial balanced system, so breaking the progressive trend of coastal concentration of both population and activities. Finally measures that encourage transport, land use and spatial planning policies are suggested. These measures require a higher co-operation between public administrations and also between these and the social and economic agents , and the definition of mid- and longterm strategies.