Proximity and Planning Tools in Spanish: the cases of Barcelona, Castelló de la Plana, Pontevedra, Valladolid and Vitoria-Gasteiz

Abstract

This study analyses the policies related to the proximity city in Barcelona, Castelló la Plana, Pontevedra, Valladolid and Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain) in order to identify how they have incorporated this principle into their plans, strategies and actions and understand the values and limitations of each type of plan (Spanish Urban Agenda, Land Use Plan, SUMP; etc.). After a structured analysis of the adopted documents, several elements with great potential stand out: the use of a new spatial unit, the superilla, with a communicative power comparable to that of the 15-minute city in Paris, and also a new area for concentrating development actions in the consolidated city; a large number of actions in each plan covering the four axes of proximity (accessibility, land use, public space and participation); and the potential of the Spanish Urban Agenda as a tool for mobility-urban planning integration.