A city is a large human settlement. Cities generally have extensive systems for housing, transportation, sanitation, utilities, land use, and communication. Their density facilitates interaction between people, government organizations and businesses.
The city that I have chosen for this work is the city for my work is the city of Vitoria, in the comunity of The País Vasco, in Spain. It has a poblation of 250 051 inhabitants, this city was the Green Capital of Europe in the year 2012. Next, I'm going to descrive the urban plan of this city.
The old town (or hitorical center) of Vitoria preserves the medieval almond-shaped layout that was given more than eight centuries ago, when Sancho VI "El Sabio" founded the town. The Historical Center is based on a hill presided by the Cathedral of Santa María. Its streets are reminiscent of the artisan crafts that were located there: Correría, Herrería, Zapatería, Cuchillería, Pintorería... These streets have the oldest and most unique buildings in the city. In the center of the old town there are two magnificent Renaissance palaces: the one of Escoriaza-Esquivel and the one of Montehermoso. The problems that affect the old town today are the deterioration of some buildings, which have led to some processes of social substitution, but without reaching the extremes of other cities. The solution to these problems is the rehabilitation of their buildings and the promotion of housing in this area.
The bourgeois expansion zone takes place from the year 1781. It is the central and commercial district of the city inhabited largely by the upper class and the upper middle class. It has an approximate area of 55 hectares and extends surrounding the old town. In the past it was the extra-wall space of the city that was used to hold fairs and markets. The typical architecture of this area is composed of luminous buildings composed of large windows, elegant balconies and numerous viewpoints. Made during the nineteenth century. Since its construction throughout the XIX century has maintained a high valuation as a place of residence for the wealthiest and wealthiest classes It is an elegant neighborhood that has an important artistic wealth, both for its elegant buildings and the sculptures that adorn its pedestrian streets and squares. The problems of this area could be the absence of public transport and other services, old houses ... The solution to these problems is the financing of new houses or the rehabilitation of these.
In the periphery, from 1950 Vitoria-Gasteiz experienced a process of accelerated industrialization (companies such as Mercedes, Michelin, etc ...) that has produced the largest increase in population and urban extension in its history. In 1955, most of the still few industrial establishments were found throughout the urban area. From 1956, the City Council facilitated the development of industrial estates located on the outskirts and next to the main communication routes. These polygons attracted new industries and made it easier for factories to be concentrated in them, avoiding problems of pollution, circulation ... Speaking of the residences, this area is mainly made up of chalets. The subsequent crisis is especially noticeable in the new peripheral neighborhoods, where the very optimistic growth forecasts are not being met. To solve this problem the council should do the things that they promise.
