A paradigmatic case of sprawl: the coast of the Alicante Province

Abstract

This paper studies the significant territorial transformation that has taken place within the coast of the Alicante province during the period 1990-2006. Based on Corine Land Cover project data and Public Administration information about urban planning, the characteristics of new artificial surfaces have been analysed. The results prove the great importance of this phenomenon, especially in two aspects. On the one hand, most of coastal vacant spaces have been occupied, while those already occupied extended inland. On the other hand, the construction of motorways and other roads greatly improved access to new inner areas. All the above described land transformations have significantly changed the character of the territory by creating new opportunity spaces; however, these were not exempt from considerable environmental and economic costs.