Abstract
This work analyses soil loss over the last 150 years due to urban growth in one of the boroughs of highest environmental value around Madrid (Spain), i.e. Colmenar Viejo. The extent and patterns followed by urban extension are examined retrospectively using a present cartographic base layer. This evolutionary approach considering space and time has required a thorough compilation of cartographic sources that were created using classic topography, photogrammetry or remote sensing, some of which have been rarely used so far. These documents have been georeferenced, edited and handled using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing programs. Urban growth in Colmenar Viejo has been steady, has registered exponential increases (soil sealing affected 0.14% of the total municipal territory in 1861 and covers 2.64% nowadays) and has followed similar patterns to other Spanish towns influenced by metropolitan processes.
Highlights
Major demographic changes have taken place in Europe since the 19th century
Urban growth in Colmenar Viejo has been steady, has registered exponential increases and has followed similar patterns to other Spanish towns influenced by metropolitan processes
The main calculations related to soil sealing and the characteristics of urban growth have been summarised in Table 4 and Fig. 4
Summary
Major demographic changes have taken place in Europe since the 19th century This social evolution has resulted on a relevant urban growth and on significant transformations on land use and land cover (Meirich, 2008). These variations can be approached from several disciplines since they are fostered by complex processes. This study has included 19th century maps provided by the National Geographic Institute of Spain (IGN) They have been used to analyse patterns of urban growth and the extent to which land has been lost to sealing over the last 150 years in a borough located in the outskirts of Madrid. The effects of soil sealing resulting from urban growth are intensely felt in Spain on coastal regions (Ojeda & Villar, 2006; Valera et al, 2011a) and on major metropolitan areas, like Madrid (García & Pérez, 2007, 2011 and 2016; García et al, 2014)
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