Urban Layout Around Markets Built of Iron in the 19th And 20th Centuries: A Current Consequence of their Location Sites in Castilla & León, Spain

Abstract

Detailed studies have been carried out for decades on the iron markets built in Spain from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. However, until now they have been approached from a historical-artistic perspective. The focus of these studies lies mainly in their contextualization and description, in the use of iron as a novel material and in characterizing their typology and morphology. This research addresses a new line of investigation, evaluating the impact of these singular architectures on the consolidated fabric of the cities where they were implanted. The studio has been focused on the territory of Castilla y Leon (Spain), because it has many cases that can be studied regarding location of their markets. The criteria analyzed to establish the impact of these constructions on the urban fabric refer to the permanence of the original constructions and use conditions, the type of location and the characteristics of the place. The results show similarities in terms of the characteristics of the chosen plots, with the squares or squares prevailing over the plots between party walls, as well as in economic and functional aspects considered when choosing them, seeking large and airy spaces. It can be concluded that these centuries-old landmarks, both those that remain unchanged, as well as those that were demolished or replaced by other buildings have had an impact on the urban context of these cities in a very significant way. They have managed, not only to modify the urban layout of representative and practically consolidated areas of the historic quarters, but have also managed that its urban configuration lasts until today, despite the difficulties, narrowness and limitations in the current traffic that its existence causes.