Single-family homes, a characteristic phenomenon of the scattered city. Sectorial contrasts in the urban agglomeration of Madrid

Abstract

Conurbations in western countries have undergone a deep transformation during the last years, evolving from the primitive metropolitan-area model to the current pattern of scattered cities. One of the defining characteristics of this new urban model is the spreading of low population density residential areas over the peripheries of cities, with prevalence of single family-dwellings. This results in an unlimited occupation of developable land such that environmental costs are much higher than hitherto. In Spain, this change has happened in a differentiate manner, more significantly in the great urban centres. This work is an endeavour of quantifying the process of urban transformation over Madrid´s region by using digital cadastral databases and geographic information systems, to assess the contrast between southern and western metropolitan sectors regarding the compactness–dispersion dichotomy.

Keywords

• vivienda unifamiliar
• residencia de baja densidad
• ciudad dispersa
• sistemas de información geográfica
• parcela catastral