A Comparison of Barcelona and Madrid as typical European Cities

A Comparison of Barcelona and Madrid as typical European Cities Hannah Anouk Freund, 15.10.2016

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Barcelona, Spain

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Madrid, Spain

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European Cities Mundus Urbano International Cooperation in Urban Development

Introduction In Europe the beginning of human settlements can be traced back to the classical antiquity. Through history the typology of European cities changed constantly, affected by social, economic and environmental conditions. Nevertheless, depending on the date of foundation and former function of the city, the characteristic typology and the historical structures are still the basis of today's European cities. That is why history for me is the decisive factor which distinguishes the “European City” from others.1 In the following I will examine two Spanish cities, Madrid and Barcelona. The main focus will be their history and development as typical “European Cities”. Therefore I will analyse and describe the process of the typological development, as well as compare the two cities with each other.

Location With 3,2 Million inhabitants Madrid is the third largest city in Europe. The capital of Spain stretches over 605 km² in the heart of the country and belongs to the autonomous community of Castile (see picture 1). The river Manzanares runs through the city and in the northwest raise the mountains of Sierra de Guaderrama. In the south of Madrid, about 50 km distance, Toledo the old castile capital is located.2 Barcelona is with 1,6 Million inhabitants the second largest city of Spain and has a size of 97,6 km².

It is located directly on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the community of Catalonia (see picture 1). Of the 6 Million Catalans 4,2 Million live in the metropolitan region of Barcelona, the strongest economic territory of Spain, which started with agriculture and heavy industry but nowadays focusses on technology and services.3 Historical Development of Madrid Madrid as capital was founded in 1561, a frst fortifed settlement was frst mentioned in the 9 th century. The city started to grow from west to east between the Arabian fortress “Alcazar” and the “Summer Palace”. As foundation of the 16th century Madrid has no medieval historic centre unlike the classic “European city”. Because of this fact there are no romanesque or gothic churches and cathedrals. During the 17th century, despite power and wealth, there are still no signifcant changes, no renaissance palaces or monumental public places (see picture 2).4 After the end of the War of the Spanish Succession Philip V became the frst bourbon king in 1713.

Used to the pompous baroque cities of his home country France, the new king starts a process of transformation beginning with a new construction of a representative palace. But real changes in the city typology don't happen until the reign of Karl III in 1759. With him monumental complexes and promenades are created, which still characterise the cityscape of Madrid’s centre. Big improvements 1 2 3 4

Cf. Delfante, Architekturgeschichte der Stadt. Von Babylon bis Brasilia, Darmstadt 1999 Cf. www.fh-muenster.de/fb5/downloads/departments/schilling/broschuere_madrid_ot.pdf, 2015 Cf. www.m-naegele.de/D/downloads/El_Rompeolas_ohne_Animation.pdf, 2015 Cf. www.uni-stuttgart.de/si/stp/download/SI_Publikation_Madrid_Web.pdf, 2015

in water supply and infrastructure also take place at this time. A very signifcant project was the design of one of Europe's most beautiful promenades, the “Paseo del Prado” (see picture 3). Since 1808, frst under the reign of Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleons brother) and after that under Ferdinand VII, a general urban reform takes place. Essential buildings and public places are built in this time.

But most of them are fnished under Queen Isabella II (1833 – 1868). Her reign involves a strong construction activity. A lot of public buildings are realised in this time like a congress centre, ministries, theatres, hospitals and barracks.5 After Queen Isabella a long period of civil war and destruction begins. All in all Madrid grows slowly and not until the second half of the 19 th century, after slow but constant densifcation the city stretches over the city wall Philip IV set up in the early 17th century.

1850 about 270 000 people live in Madrid, a lot of them in bad conditions. To change this fact, Carlos María de Castro commissions “El Plano general de Ordenación para la zona del Ensanche” (see picture 4), which plans an urban extension north, east and southwards. After 1868 parts of this plan are realised in the North and East of the city. The spacious blocks with large courtyards implemented in the plan, are the reason for the constant popularity of the new quarters among Madrileneans. Not long after the “El Ensanche” extension, a new plan follows in the 1890ies, “La Ciudad Lineal”. Ideas of the garden city movement infuence this plan for a linear settlement structure, to decentralise and make the wish for a house in the country also possible for the less wealthy people. Because of sparse support, only a small part of the “Ciudad Lineal” can be realised.

The 19th century is closed with a higher concentration on the city centre. Its dense typology should be opened up by a new main road the “Gran Vía”.

The 20th century starts with “La Ciudad Universitaria” an important urban replanning of a large, coherent campus. In 1941 the “Plan General” follows as an answer to the extreme population growth after the end of the civil war in 1939. Francos goal is to emphasize Madrids status as capital and to show its power in the typology of the city. But the problems of housing shortage stays. The solution is the “Plan de urgencia social para Madrid” which 1957 makes social living in the city possible for the frst time.

After the death of Franco in 1975 the transition to decent housing conditions starts with urban renewal projects in the outskirts of Madrid. The program is planned for a period of ten to twelve years and 39 000 new fats can be realised. In the frst years of democracy, which bring an economic and cultural upswing with them, the need in housing grows signifcantly. As result, a current urban development strategy gets released in 1985. The new “Plan General” (see picture 5) is an enormous progress in Madrids urban planning history and represents the foundation of its growth. General objectives of the strategy are: establishment as European capital-region, expansion of the air traffc, range of services in the mediterranean region, frst-class logistics centre in Europe, frst-class range of culture and tourism services and fnally the equalization of the living standards.

5 Cf. Mehlhorn, Spaniens Städte, Dortmund 1996

Todays urban development of Madrid is characterized by investments of the private sector, which unfortunately has an enormous increase in the price of land and housing as consequence. The current main focus is the extension of the city centre, which is realised mostly by infrastructural projects as well as the formation of a new high-rise business district “Cuatro Torres Business Area” in the North of the city (see picture 6).6 Historical Development of Barcelona The history of Barcelona starts much earlier than Madrids. Most historians regard the story of Hannibals father Hamilkar Barkas as emperor of the region and frst founder of a city (230 B.C.) as credible. This city was called “Barkenon”, “Barcelino” or “Barci Nova”. 133 B.C. after a battle between Barkas and the Romans Barcelona was founded again, this time on a hill named “Mons Taber” as the Roman settlement “Colonia Julia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino”. The former central Roman forum is still existing and with the “Palau de la Generalitat” (regional administration) and the city hall “Casa de la Ciutat” the today called “Plaça Sant Jaume” is still the centre of power (see picture 7).

After the fall of the Roman Empire in 531 A.C. and the reign of the Visigoths and the Moors, Charlemagne establishes the Spanish March in 801. Local earls rule the “buffer state” between Frankconia and the Moors and in 878 Guifre el Polos unites the Catalan counties and establishes the dynasty of Barcelona with “Palau Reial” as residence. This is the beginning of political stability and with it comes an increase in prosperity. In this time of strength and wealth a lot of important buildings are constructed and urban changes take place.7 Since 1060 the rising of Barcelona continues mainly caused by its role as sea power. As consequence to its importance in the early 13th century, the old city wall is reconstructed in a larger scale to secure the city. The 14th and the 15th century are characterized by a construction boom which for example brings the “Carrer Montcada” with it, one of the most magnifcent streets of the Middle Ages with numerous palaces. Due to the immense growth of the city the construction of the third city wall starts in the middle of the 16th century (see picture 8).8 After this peak in urban development, a long time of struggles between the mediterranean city Barcelona and the new capital Madrid follows. Independence and submission leads to decline and ends with the plundering of Barcelona on the 11 of September 1714 under Felipe V. During the control of Castile which brought the total demolition of the district Ribera with it, the people of Ribera are relocated to a place outside the city wall at the shore. In 1749 this slum gets transformed into a new working-class district called “Barceloneta”, Barcelonas frst extension outside the medieval city wall on a tongue of land in the sea (see picture 9).

In 1830 Barcelona becomes the frst industrial city of Spain which means economic rise and urban 6 Cf. www.uni-stuttgart.de/si/stp/download/SI_Publikation_Madrid_Web.pdf, 2015 7 Cf. www.m-naegele.de/D/downloads/El_Rompeolas_ohne_Animation.pdf, 2015 8 Cf. Mehlhorn, Spaniens Städte, Dortmund 1996

development for the city. The opera “Licea” is constructed (1847), “Paleau Reial” is modifed (1847), a new university gets established (1860) and the central street “Las Ramblas” is changed into an pedestrian boulevard. As result of the industrialisation, a lot of foreign workers are moving into the city. The space inside the old city walls gets more and more dense and the living conditions become unbearable. This development leads to a demolition of the wall in 1854 and a new plan for the extension of the city.9 1859 the plan “Eixample” by Ildefons Cerdà I Sunyer gets approved. The plan (see picture 10) is based on a very detailed analysis of the existing urban area regarding social, political and economic aspects. Based on a uniform rectangular grid, which considers the position of the shore line, the plan consists of parallel streets reaching vertical up to the hills of Montserrat. The grid is based on square blocks with fattened corners which form small squares on each crossing. For the arrangement of the buildings inside the blocks, Cerdà develops different types which also include room for green space.

All in all the plan of Illdefons Cerdà focuses on the ideal effcient, modern city, with emphasis on a new understanding of equality and the challenges of a humane environment. The fragmental realization of Cerdàs master plan does not start until 30 years later due to fnancial reasons.10 In the 1870ies the style of “Modernisme“ mainly infuenced by Antoni Gaudí booms in Barcelona.

More than 50 buildings are constructed and make Barcelona the city with the most Jugendstil buildings all over the world. Still a real touristic magnet.11 1888 the third world exhibition takes place in the “Parc de la Ciutadella”, where only a few years before Felipe V constructed his monument of power, a citadel. The demolition should be a symbol of liberation and Barcelonas aiming for autonomy. In 1929 Barcelona hosts the world exhibition for the second time. For this occasion the whole Montjuic area gets urbanised.12 Ten years after the second world exhibition a time of decline begins. Under Franco the city has to submit to the central government of Madrid. Every tendency to independence is suppressed with violence. Between 1960 and -75 Spain and with it Barcelona experiences an economic miracle. In Barcelona this leads to the arrival of 2 Million workers which Franco accommodates in large-scale social housings in “Badalona” a neighbourhood that nowadays still suffers from social problems.

Francos death in 1975 brings a celebration of the Barcelonans with it. The following ruler King Juan Carlos restores democracy in Spain and Catalonia receives its own regional government. Major Pasqual Maragall, an urban planner, proposes 1976 a new urban development plan with the goal to become venue for the Olympic Games, which changes the system of planning radically.

Decentralising and citizens participation are new guidelines. Barcelona wants to change its image as industrial city and to show its cosmopolitanism to attract tourists from all over the world. The master plan “Plan Metropolitano” uses the Olympic Games and links fnancial support to realise the goals 9 10 11 12

Cf. Ebbert, Meinberg, Barcelona. Eine Stadt und ihre Baugeschichte, Barcelona 2002 Cf. www.uni-weimar.de/architektur/raum/lehre/WS11_12/IldefonsCerda.pdf, 2015 Cf. www.m-naegele.de/D/downloads/El_Rompeolas_ohne_Animation.pdf, 2015 Cf. Bonechi, Kunst und Geschichte von Barcelona, 2001

regarding the urban development of the city, main focus lies on the orientation to the sea. The harbour district gets completely cleared of industry, changes in the infrastructure and the new esplanade with an urban beach helps to provide a new face for Barcelona (see picture 11). Another concern of the new city government is the reorganisation of the urban space. With the project “Espais Urbans” a change of the public open space to a recreational space for everybody is a new goal. This project on the one hand shall make up for the lack of renovation of the residential areas and on the other hand solve the problem of missing green open space in the city.13 The last years of urban development in Barcelona are mainly infuenced by infrastructural and quality of life improving measures. For example the renovation of beaches, the construction of the new neighbourhood “Diagonal Mar” and the construction of a high-speed railway line between Madrid, Barcelona and France.14 Comparison Unlike the typical “European City”, Madrids identity is based on its role as capital. As it has no strategic location at the sea like Barcelona, the growth of Madrid is for a long time dependant on centralised administration and the unsteady decisions of the respective ruler.

Barcelonas history starts much earlier than Madrids. The mediterranean city evolves from a structured Roman foundation, with typical typology. For the growth of the city its status as strong seapower has a leading impact. This advantage for centuries is responsible for magnifcent buildings and urban development. But in the 16th century the balance of power changes, favouring Madrid as capital and Barcelonas struggle for independence starts.

Around 1850 both cities are at a climax concerning human needs. Bad living conditions evolving from a high density make a new planning inevitable. During the 18th and the 19th century new representative extensions are planned in both cities, starting with the “Paseo del Prado” and the new working-class district “Barceloneta”. This evolution formed the still visible fragmented typology of the dense historic city centres which is so typical for European cities. But the evolution continues, strongly infuenced by new values one can see later in Cerdàs “Eixample” and the “El Ensanche” extension in Madrid. In contrast to the urban extensions of the Middle Ages the developments of the 19th century also bring social and economic changes with it.

Under the rule of Franco Madrid as well as Barcelona suffer from immigration and infrastructural problems of the post-war period. Furthermore Barcelona again has to face suppression by the capital.

After the death of dictator Franco, Spain has to manage the change to democracy, which also has a high impact on urban development. Madrid mainly focuses on the establishment as European capitalregion, economically but also as cultural destination for tourists. In urban planning the transition to decent housing conditions is at top of the list. For Barcelona Francos death and the new system of democracy fnally leads to the long awaited independence. The celebration ends in the application as 13 Cf. Ebbert, Meinberg, Barcelona. Eine Stadt und ihre Baugeschichte, Barcelona 2002 14 Cf. www.m-naegele.de/D/downloads/El_Rompeolas_ohne_Animation.pdf, 2015

venue for the Olympic Games '92. The strategic development concept of Barcelonas city planning department, integrating large public events like the Olympic Games, offers the municipality the possibility to set free special fundings. The extra money allows them to realise big urban projects like the “Plan Metropolitano”, which are for the most part independent of the control of the central government in Madrid.

Conclusion To sum it up, Madrid (see picture 12) grew due to good economic prospects to be todays biggest city of southern Europe. Todays main focus is the extension of the city centre. The inner city keeps its role as cultural centre and symbolic place. But the shift of important service sectors to outer districts like the new high-rise “Cuatro Torres Business Area”, lead to change in the traditional interdependencies.

This means, the economic role of the city centre gets less important and the structure of Madrid evolves to a poly centric metropolis.

Concerning Barcelona (see picture 13) one can say that the “Capital of the Mediterranean” stands up to its mother. The old town is famous for the historical buildings which show the different periods of history beginning with Roman walls ending with perfectly preserved Gothic buildings. But what makes Barcelona worldwide popular from an urban planners perspective is the ambitious urban renewal project of Cerdà in the 80ies, which as recently as 1999 gets completed with the connection of “Av. Diagonal” with the sea.

The exemplary illustration of the urban development of Madrid and Barcelona results in a signifcant conclusion. All in all the historical analysis shows that “European Cities” in the classical sense, experience heydays as well as decline during the centuries. But despite this fact their development is steady and leads to an individual and diverse typology with visible ancient and present infuence.

These historical evolved structures make the “European Cities” so special, compared with cities of other continents.

Picture 1: Spain, Castile - Madrid / Catalonia - Barcelona

Picture 2: Plan of Madrid by Pedro Teixeira, 1656

Picture 3: Paseo del Prado, 1890

Picture 4: Extension Plan Madrid, 1857

Picture 5: Plan General Madrid, 1997

Picture 6: “Cuatro Torres” Business Area, 2008

Picture 7: Plan of Barcino in todays Barrio Gรณtico

Picture 8: Barcelona, 1563

Picture 9: Plan of Barcelona with Barceloneta (bottom right corner), 1806

Picture 10: Extension Plan of Barcelona by lldefons CerdĂ , 1859

Picture 11: Barcelonas harbour esplanade, today

Picture 12: Madrid fgure ground plan

Picture 13: Barcelona fgure ground plan

Picture Sources: 1. http://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/images/Spain_map-en.jpg 2. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Pedro_Teixeira_Albernaz_ %281656%29_Madrid.png 3. / 4. http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/si/stp/download/SI_Publikation_Madrid_Web.pdf 5. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi4MkRCe2tc/UPFTFEJ4UOI/AAAAAAAABww /wyogJA89_1s/s1600/2013_01_12_Mad_PGOUM97_01.jpg 6. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Cuatro_Torres_Business_Area.JPG 7. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Barcelona_romana.png/200pxBarcelona_romana.png 8. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historia_de_Barcelona#mediaviewer/File:Barcelona_1563.JPG 9. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historia_de_Barcelona#mediaviewer/File:BNE.Barcelona.planos.

1806.jpg 10. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historia_de_Barcelona#mediaviewer/File:Ensanche_-_eixample__Barcelona.jpg 11. http://austria-forum.org/attach/Community/Reisen_und_Bilder_aus_aller_Welt/Europa/Spanien/ Am_Hafen_in_Barcelona/arthurs_Hafen-von-Barcelona.jpg 12. / 13. http://www.openstreetmap.de/ Sources: •

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