Urban growth and the production of space in Lleida (1940–1980)

Abstract

This article examines the processes of production of space in a medium-sized Catalan city, Lleida, during a period of major economic expansion and population growth. The first part explains the theoretical framework and the hypotheses expressed. Taking the theory of «production of space» as a starting point, the author develops the hypothesis of the change of agents who acquire possession of the urban surplus value during the period of expansion. This passes from the domination of the traditional landowners to the consolidation of the position of professional estate agents. Also implied in the hypothesis is the dependence of resulting urban forms on the subjection of official urban policies to pressures exerted by these agents.

There follows an examination of the evolution of ownership and promotion, a study on construction patterns in the city, and an analysis of policy-making in the field of planning and everyday municipal activities. It is then possible to identify two stages in the process of growth. The first is a period of weak capitalist involvement in production in the city, with evident tendencies towards the process of urban development by land-owners in suburban areas and by the propietors of small centrally-located plots. Marked political influences were evident and the net result was the formation of non-standard urban forms (marginal habitats, low-density suburban slum development…). During the second stage, professional estate agents exercised a strong influence on policy-making which resulted in high-density construction based on the upgrading of the interstitial spaces created in the previous period.