Boletín de la AsociaciónSevilla inde the Geógrafos first decade Españoles of the century: N.º 70 - urban2016, transformationpágs. 527-532 for a new urban model I.S.S.N.: 0212-9426 SEVILLA IN THE FIRST DECADE OF THE CENTURY: URBAN TRANSFORMATION FOR A NEW URBAN MODEL Manuel Jesús Marchena Gómez Enrique Hernández Martínez Departamento de Geografía Física y Análisis Geográfico Regional. Universidad de Sevilla
[email protected] I. INTRODUCTION During the first decade of the 21st century, Seville received a strong boost from public and private investments that translated into numerous infrastructure, urban development and econo- mic projects which, under the banner of the new General Urban Development Plan (2006), gave rise to a notable urban transformation that is worth analysing in depthActions favoring public space (pedestrianization in the historic center), new mobility projects with new public trans- port (metro, tram) and investing in cycling (cycle lanes, rental system), very definite industrial developments (new Heineken-Cruzcampo, Airbus and Abengoa factories, Renault expansion, port expansion), as well as examples of signature architecture (the “setas” at Encarnación) and the city’s new (and only) skyscraper (César Pelli Tower). The fundamental question that needs to be asked is whether this catalog of elements that make up this urban process are part of a consciously formed city model, what are the aspects upon which this model is based and moves forward and what are the internal inconsistencies and contradictions that could arise. The second key question we should ask in times of economic crisis and the almost total absence of investment is up to what point cities can prolong the profitability time of these urban renewal projects.