Recent Transformations in the Morphology of Spanish Medium-Sized Cities: From the Compact City to the Urban Area

Over the last few decades, within framework of remarkable urban expansion accompanying a real-estate boom in Spain, it has been medium-sized cities that have registered most drastic changes morphology. Currently, about 50% urbanised land was developed after 1980. Historically compact and dense structures transformed, with new spaces expanding into outskirts. High consumption created sprawling, fragmented scattered areas. These are new, more complex multifunctional structures, there change scale urbanisation, forms resulting landscape. However, growth model which caused these transformations is defined by hardly sustainable land-use patterns. The number increased around 50%, while houses built grown 109% 87% between 1981 2021. This paper analyses recent dynamics through statistical treatment patterns their cartographic analysis using GIS technology. significant modification at this Spanish system confirmed. also reflects on lack sustainability prevailing respect to 2030 city strategy.