The values of compactness and density in the residential fabrics of the periphery of the Spanish intermediary cities throughout the 20th century

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this paper is to make a study of the formal variations, through the analysis of four parameters of the density, of the residential fabrics used, during the XX century, in the construction of the periphery of the Spanish intermediate cities.

Methodology

The cases of the cities of Málaga, Murcia and Valladolid are analyzed. From a compilation of bibliographic and cartographic information, the urban evolution of this cities during the period are defined and the urban residential fragments constructed in each of the periods are delimited. Later, the values of compactness, density, levels and open space ratio of each of these fragments are obtained from cadastral cartography through operations in geographic information systems (GIS). Finally, a comparative reading of the previous values is performed.

Conclusions

The conclusions have shown a progressive decrease in the compactness of residential fabrics, accompanied by a rise in number of floors during the first half of the century, followed by a decrease in the last decades. These variations originated the increase of the density until the end of the Spanish developmentalism and its descent later, as well as a progressive increase of the availability of open spaces by built surface.

Originality

This research contrasts, through the parameters studied, dynamics that had not yet been proven for this type of cities extensively to all the residential fragments built during the period.