TOWN Small and medium sized towns in their functional territorial context Applied Research 2013/1/23 Case Study Report | Eastern Spain Final Version, July 2014 ESPON 2013 1 This report presents the interim results of an Applied Research Project conducted within the framework of the ESPON 2013 Programme, partly financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The partnership behind the ESPON Programme consists of the EU Commission and the Member States of the EU27, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Each partner is represented in the ESPON Monitoring Committee. This report does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the members of the Monitoring Committee. Information on the ESPON Programme and projects can be found on www.espon.eu The web site provides the possibility to download and examine the most recent documents produced by finalised and ongoing ESPON projects. This basic report exists only in an electronic version. © ESPON & University Rovira i Virgili, 2014. Printing, reproduction or quotation is authorised provided the source is acknowledged and a copy is forwarded to the ESPON Coordination Unit in Luxembourg. ESPON 2013 2 List of authors Aaron Gutíerrez Antonio Russo Rovira i Virgili University, Research Group ‘Territorial Analysis and Tourism Studies’ (GRATET) With contributions by the other team-members at URV: Yolanda Pérez and David Serrano Subcontracted execution case studies of Cambrils and Vilafranca del Penedès: Laura Capel and Gissel Ferrari Cartographic production by: Fiammetta Brandajs and Jordi Andreu (University Rovira i Virgili) Tarragona, Spain, 4 July 2014 ESPON 2013 3 Table of contents 1. NATIONAL CONTEXT......................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 Presentation ............................................................................................................................... 11 1.2. National/regional definition of SMSTs ........................................................................................ 13 1.2.1 Official statistical definition .............................................................................................. 13 1.2.2 Administrative / political definitions ................................................................................. 14 1.2.3 Literature overview on definition of SMSTs ...................................................................... 14 1.3. SMSTs in national/regional settlement system: literature overview............................................. 15 1.4. Territorial organisation of local government systems .................................................................. 21 1.4.1. The Spanish territorial organisation..................................................................................... 21 1.4.2. Case study context: Catalonia / Balearic Islands / Valencia Community ................................ 24 2. URBAN SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE MESO-CASE STUDY AREA ..................................................... 33 2.1 Structure of the population and mobility of the workforce in Catalonia ........................................ 33 2.2 Micro-regions and their characteristics........................................................................................ 39 2.3 Characteristics and performances of micro-regional centres ........................................................ 45 3. MICRO-LEVEL CASE STUDIES ............................................................................................................. 56 3.1 Selection of micro-level case studies ............................................................................................ 56 3.2 Vila-franca del Penedès ............................................................................................................... 58 3.2.1 Presentation ........................................................................................................................ 58 3.2.2 Demographic profile ............................................................................................................ 60 3.2.3 Housing ............................................................................................................................... 62 3.2.4 Socio-economic characteristics ............................................................................................ 64 3.2.5 Economic structure and evolution ........................................................................................ 68 3.2.6 Policy issues ......................................................................................................................... 75 3.3 Cambrils ..................................................................................................................................... 81 3.3.1 Presentation ........................................................................................................................ 81 3.3.2 Demographic profile ............................................................................................................ 82 3.3.3 Housing ............................................................................................................................... 85 3.3.4 Socio-economic profile ........................................................................................................ 87 3.3.5 Economic structure and evolution ........................................................................................ 91 3.3.6 Policy issues ......................................................................................................................... 99 3.4 Tàrrega ..................................................................................................................................... 107 3.4.1 Presentation ...................................................................................................................... 107 3.4.2 Demographic profile .......................................................................................................... 107 3.4.3 Housing ............................................................................................................................. 111 3.4.4 Socio-economic profile ...................................................................................................... 113 3.4.5 Economic structure and evolution ...................................................................................... 117 3.4.6 Policy issues ....................................................................................................................... 123 4. CONCLUSIONS: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND GENERAL INSIGHTS ON SMST ................................ 130 4.1 Comparative analysis ................................................................................................................ 130 4.1.1 Territorial contexts of micro-level case studies, compared ......................................... 130 4.1.2 Demographic and social aspects of micro-level case studies, compared .......................... 131 4.1.3 Socio-economic dynamics of micro-level case studies, compared ................................... 133 4.1.4 Governance issues of micro-level case studies, compared .............................................. 137 4.2 General insights on the role of SMST in their territorial Context in Catalonia .............................. 138 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 146 v List of figures Figure 1.1 - Population density by municipalities (2011) ........................................................................ 11 Figure 1.2 - Municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants............................................................... 13 Figure 1.3 - Urban systems in Spain ....................................................................................................... 16 Figure 1.4 - Functional areas / metropolitan areas ................................................................................ 17 Figure 1.5 - Population growth of < 10,000 inhabitants’ municipalities, 1996-2001 ................................ 17 Figure 1.6 - Population growth of < 10,000 inhabitants’ municipalities (2001-2006)............................... 18 Figure 1.7 - Urban cohesion systems in Catalonia .................................................................................. 19 Figure 1.8 - Urban cohesion systems and average population in municipalities > 5,000 inhabitants ....... 19 Figure 1.9 - Municipal boundaries in Spain ............................................................................................ 22 Figure 1.10 - Provinces and Autonomous Communities in Spain ............................................................ 23 Figure 1.11 - Scheme of territorial structure of Valencia Community included in the Territorial Integrated Action Plan for Urban Development ..................................................................................... 26 Figure 1.12 - Overview of main land uses included in Mallorca Territorial Plan ...................................... 27 Figure 1.13 - Proposed territorial structure of Catalan General Plan, 1995 ............................................. 29 Figure 1.14 - Regional Planning Areas in Catalonia................................................................................. 30 Figure 1.15 - Urban Director Plans in service in Catalonia