Analysis of the territorialisation processes in the lower guadalquivir through historical cartography

Abstract

Historical cartography constitutes one of the primary sources that allows us to substantiate the protection, management and planning actions with regards to the landscape. Reviewing it facilitates, for example, the uncovering and verification of the ancient patterns of settlements and land connections. This article explores the way in which the systematic review of the historical maps supports the analysis of the territorialisation processes. This analysis allows us to detect and identify those territorial assets with heritage values that have characterised the cultural landscape at different times. A graphic device is proposed to facilitate the synthesis and subsequent interpretation of the rules for transforming the territorial heritage that have influenced the evolution of the cultural landscape. This interpretation is essential to guarantee the effectiveness of certain design strategies that operate in terms of the landscape, such as cultural itineraries. This process of analysis and synthesis is exemplified through the case study of Itálica's buffer zone, in the area of the lower Guadalquivir.