Vegas and deltas in the vicinity of medium-sized cities in Andalucia, Spain: landscapes under pressure but scarcely considered in planning

Abstract

Peri-urban deltas and vegas (irrigated plains) in Andalucía are especially complex landscapes combining agricultural, natural, urban and cultural heritage elements. Their agricultural and peri-urban characteristics entail both conflicts and opportunities as highlighted by the European Economic and Social Committee among other national and regional agreements. In this research we analyse the general context of peri-urban agriculture of vegas and deltas in Andalucía and their land-use transformations between 1956 and 2007, focusing on the network of medium-sized cities. In addition, we assess the consideration of vegas and deltas in spatial planning at the regional level and the way in which these plans have—or have not—faced the singularity of these spaces. The results reveal that peri-urban, agricultural deltas and vegas are changing their land use and in some cases even disappearing, with the meagre attention and the vague consideration that spatial planning pays to these areas.