Neoliberal Urbanism and Urban Fragmentation: The Case of Saragossa (Spain) in the First Fifteen years of the 21st century

Abstract

The growth of urban space of Zaragoza during the first fifteen years of the 21st century is characterized by its socio-spatial fragmentation at several scales, a significant feature of the neoliberal urbanism. The growth model of the city is composed of large monofunctional urban fragments attached to the existing urban space by the main traffic routes. These ways and other physical or perceived obstacles interrupt the continuity with the consolidated urban space, especially for the movement of people. Nevertheless, this pattern allows the connection of the new spaces with the local urban environment but, at the same time, promotes the social segregation and fosters a polycentric functional model based on travel by private car.