Vías y entrevías. Atributos y compromisos del distrito industrial de tarragona

Resumen

This research project arose from an interest in the foundational logic of Tarragona¿s industrial area, as well as a desire to evaluate the impact of episodes and phenomena in urban development and reveal attributes of this area through an analysis of its form and structures. The aim here is to shed some light on the ¿duality¿ arising between the city¿s periphery, marked by the character of its infrastructures and their marginal condition, and a city which has traditionally controlled the rationalisation of its centre. An intentional narrative is used to chart the transformation of this area, developed in and around roads, highways and railways that were alien to it and which led to urban exclusion in the intervening spaces, with an accompanying analysis of how certain urban possibilities can arise from these conflicts. This work is composed of three volumes. The first comprises the written body of the research (containing a preamble, four titles and conclusions) and is associated to a series of historical images and maps and other images created by the author. The second volume analyses and includes a selection of texts from the urban chronicles of journalist Luis María Mezquida (going by the pen name of ¿Petrófilo¿), who documented a key forty-year period in the development of Tarragona. The third volume is a chronological summary of the historical material, photographs and maps employed as the source data for this research work. In Title 1 of Volume 1, a historical approach is employed to examine the design and construction of the new roads, highways and railways in this area starting in the 19th century, through a reading of the geometry of these infrastructure components. Emphasis is placed on how the geometric regimen of each of the technological circumstances associated to these structures became an effective tool in resolving the perennial tension resulting from the peculiar proximity between Reus and Tarragona. The work also posits the concept of triangulation for the construction of a specific geometry that can resolve this uncommon and capricious overlapping of interests and opportunities. Title 2 reflects upon the effects of the manifestation and deployment of the peripheral and industrial condition of the city of Tarragona. The city¿s constant refusal to incorporate the peripheral area marked by these structures, by an unstudied and disobedient occupation, and by the presence of large utility buildings. In Title 3, urban and land use planning initiatives are analysed as a reflection of social and technological changes emerging in the 1960s and driven by the expansionist and development policies of this period marked by the highest rates of growth and employment of the 20th century. Industry and tourism, along with the infrastructure required by these sectors would therefore become the goal of modern Tarragona. Finally, Title 4 focuses on the effects of the accumulation of these planning initiatives, occupations and the resulting roads, highways and railways built there over time, offering a discussion on whether the industrial district located between these structures has gained sufficient importance and impact to grant these issues the attention they deserve by the city. This research work concludes with a series of reflections that highlight the historical-urban analysis developed here, with a consideration of some preventative measures. It then proposes a set of fundamental aspects to be taken into account going forward: a) the recognition of how the deployment of socio-economic structures have utilised and have been supported by these roads, highways and railways as well as by their associated pattern of incorporation and agglomeration; b) a vindication of an urban development project not yet implemented by the city of Tarragona which will benefit its periphery, and c) the importance of moving beyond the ¿linear¿ linkages between Tarragona and Reus.