Criteria for determining sub-municipal boundaries. References applied in Andalusia

Abstract

Settlement is one of the most incontestable geographical realities and has a clear impact on the basic territorial organisation of the state - as well as a long research tradition. However, on many occasions, its elementary cells - municipalities in the Spanish case - include an internal diversity of situations that should be thoroughly understood. The objective of this study is to establish a common protocol in Andalusia for the delimitation of municipal districts in subunits (as proposed by regional regulations). Sources of information that incorporate sub-municipal boundaries are analysed to establish a delimiting methodology based on differentiated criteria (territorial, historical, administrative, and zonal design) with the support of cartographic examples drawn at regional and municipal scales. The results speak of the diversity of possibilities that are found today in Andalusia, although they are not applicable in all cases. In the discussion, the advantages presented by this procedure are reviewed, as well as their potential for better organisation and management of territorial resources. The conclusions synthesise the main aspects addressed and open new lines of research and action for the future.