SPAIN AND GERMANY

Comparative essay between two countries, Spain and Germany

Comparative essay between two countries, Spain and Germany

Located in the region of Catalonia in northeast Spain, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, with a population of around 1,600,000 in 100 square kilometers. Largely as a result of the regeneration processes of the 1980s that culminated in the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona has become renowned internationally for its postindustrial urban restructuring planning. Indeed, the “Barcelona model” of regeneration is often held to be exemplary in repositioning the city in the global economy and balancing economic outputs with socio-cultural goals.

The Federal Republic of Germany, located in the heartland of Europe, adjoins Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands, covering an area of approximately 357,000 sq. km. As Europe's largest economy and the world's 14th most populous country (2009), Germany has for centuries significantly affected this region's political, social, and economical history. This country, which saw the birth of Wolfgang von Goethe and Ludwig van Beethoven, is also the world's largest exporter.

Germany's agriculture plays a notable role in the European Union's agricultural sector. Within the European Union, Germany is the largest producer of milk and pork and the second-largest producer of cereals, potatoes, sugar beets, and beef. (Valerie 1996)

 

Economy Overview- Spain

The actual urban morphology of Barcelona is based strongly on its transformation and expansion toward a modern city in the mid-nineteenth century. In this period, Barcelona suffered from three basic problems. First, though industrialization and demographic growth were already taking place in the first half of the century, the city was constrained within its medieval walls until 1860. Second, despite becoming the industrial center of Spain, it lacked any political influence on state politics. And third, industrialization and growth were accomplished through local capital, but there was not a strong and consolidated financial industry. These problems reflected directly on how the city developed. Almost any attempt to improve the city and create the conditions for fixing capital flows in town has necessarily implied resorting to attracting nation-state government support and capital through events. Thus, the evolution of the city is linked to big events (e.g., the Universal Exposition of 1888 or the International Exposition of 1929) or aborted ones (Popular Olympics of 1936, Expo of 1982). These events were usually catalyzes for developing broader planning projects (e.g., Credo, 1860; Macias, 1932; General Metropolitan Plan, 1976). In this sense, it is no wonder that contemporary city councils have been using events such as the Olympics and the Forum 2004 for the same purposes. (United Nations, 1993)

Modern Urban Development

Barcelona's urban development has been characterized primarily by three moments: (1) the approval in 1860 of the Credo Plan to guide the expansion of the city outside its medieval walls, (2) the chaotic urban and economic growth during the years of Spanish dictatorship, and (3) the Olympic-led regeneration once democracy had returned.

The Credo Plan

The first stages of Barcelona's modern development began with the implementation of the Credo Plan, beginning in ...