Evolution Of Urban Development In Spain And How It Impacted Women’s Lives

The best example of how urban development has evolved in Spain comes from Barcelona. Its history spans about three centuries filled with critical events that shaped the city and affected how other states tackled urbanization.

This article, part of a series explaining Barcelona’s urban planning, details the history of urban development in the city. It starts from the beginning, mentioning the Roman origins, back before Barcelona was even a name.

While the story of taking down the wall is fascinating on its own, it’s not our focus for today. This article aims to look at how urban development became what it is today and its effects on women.

That means starting in 1855 with Ildefons Cerda.

The foundation for today’s groundwork

Cerda is a hero for experienced urban planners. He’s famous for laying out methods that are still relevant today, and many of his ideas are still considered progressive. His “utopian” plan came from his observations of the working class and their hardships.

It led him to create a comprehensive approach to improve urban living for them. The first highlight from his plan is that he took a surprisingly holistic approach: looking to ensure universal living standards. The second is the consequence: an egalitarian approach to urban planning. His urban distribution ensured identical blocks in proportion, spaces, and green areas.

The main setbacks

Many talk about Cerda’s design as a humanitarian wonder. Sadly, countless claims point towards political intervention resulting in only partial implementation. His complete vision was never accomplished, although many of his ideas are still influential today.

The first reason for this “semi-failure” is politics. Most governments during and after his plan’s design simply ignored several of his aspects. Both progressive and conservative governments kept fading his ideas into obscurity.

The second setback for Barcelona’s overall urban development is its 1939 dictatorship. This period resulted in unregulated construction, looking to accommodate workers quickly among Spain.

The Olympics and urban development

The 1992 Olympics make up another vital factor for Barcelona’s urban development. Its strategy to accommodate the event was so progressive, that they’re still under study from experts.

The main focus was to invest in the city, rather than sports venues. It boosted Barcelona’s tourism industry, and this strategy still benefits the city today.

What does this mean for women?

Urbanization is mostly beneficial for everyone. It offers more independence as well as many opportunities for women, mostly related to employment. However, it has its own disadvantages.

Higher populations increase the occurrence of social problems, like violence and gender inequality. Environmental issues, like pollution and climate change, are also more prevalent in urban environments. Urban planners must develop new methods and strategies to ensure women can reap all the benefits men can access from urbanization.

 

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