Considerations Concerning Measurements Relating to the Urban Design of the Spanish-American City

Abstract

This paper analyzes the measurements regarding the urban elements used by the Spaniards for the foundation and design of the Spanish–American cities created on the American continent over three centuries during the colonial period. The measurements analyzed are from the urban elements of the plaza, streets, and blocks.The study was accomplished based on the following: 1) study of the measurements in the theoretical models and in the reticular main cities of Spanish urbanism until the 16th century, 2) study of the measurements in the Laws of the Indies (1573), and 3) by analysis of the measurements used in the cities created on the American continent, through the study of cartography corresponding to the Colonial Spanish period.In the urban models used during three centuries by the Spaniards on the American continent the use of some particular measurement is evident (besides the common use of urban reticular traces). These measurements have a theoretical and practical base in Spain since the 12th century.