Key research themes
1. How have historical urban planning and architectural developments shaped the identity and transformation of León and similar Spanish regions?
This theme explores the evolution of urban landscapes in Spanish cities and rural areas, with a focus on how historical events, political shifts, and architectural innovations have influenced their spatial and cultural identities. It includes the impact of land control, heritage conservation, and architectural practices in shaping urban and rural morphology, highlighting the interplay of social, economic, and political factors in urban development.
2. What role does tourism and public space redevelopment play in the socio-cultural transformation of Spanish cities including León?
This theme investigates the intersections of tourism development, urban regeneration, and public space creation, particularly in mid-sized Spanish cities. It examines how tourism acts as a catalyst for urban transformation, influencing social dynamics, cultural values, and the commodification of communal spaces. The research underlines conflicts and opportunities arising from tourism-driven urban change, pertinent to understanding León's evolving urban landscape amid tourism growth.
3. How have historical typologies and socio-spatial relations shaped residential architecture and urban land use in Spain?
This theme focuses on the typological study of residential forms and their socio-cultural implications in Spanish urban contexts, including class relations, land ownership, and housing typologies like the Andalusian corrales de vecinos. It addresses challenges of conservation, identity, and urban renewal, elucidating how built forms both reflect and influence social organization, with relevance for similar patterns in León’s urban and peri-urban environments.