Old and new centralities in medium-sized andalusian cities: Development and urban strategies

Abstract

Since the last quarter of last century, the traditional elements of centrality located in historic centers of medium-sized Andalusian cities have cohabitated alongside other, very distinct focuses of urban attraction. A multiple diversity of new centralities takes place, whose appearance and location on the urban and territorial scene is grounded in the crystallization of distinct factors. On the one hand, the incorporation of new activities and a greater development and diffusion of the already existing ones has given rise to a new scale of architecture in these cities. On the other hand, the substitution of the traditional uses by others of greater directionality produces a specialization of the urban center. Likewise, the infrastructures, understood as central elements which interact with the city, tend to stimulate or strangle the urban fabric, depending on the suitability of their type and layout. This article seeks to show the traditional centralities and to elucidate the processes which have given rise to those which are most contemporary, different from the previous ones; to sketch the future urban situation of these cities, passing through the reformulation of their old and new centralities in consideration of adequate urban strategies.