NETWORKS OF MEDIUM-SIZED CITIES AS A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE TERRITORIAL

DEVELOPMENT. THE CASE OF THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF CORDOBA

David Lpez Casado 1
Mara D. Torralbo Obrero 2

ABSTRACT
The so-called Network of Medium-sized Cities of Andalusia is the main commitment of the
Spatial Plan of Andalusia, through which it aims to achieve the goals of a sustainable, cohesive
and competitive territorial development for the region. This is supported both by European
directives and by positions defended by different authors, according to which, promoting the
development of medium-sized cities with polycentric networking, compared to a large
metropolis, results in more sustainable and cohesive territories. In this context, the
communication aims to analyze the Spatial Plan of the South of the province of Cordoba and it
intends to demonstrate to what extent the sub-regional territorial planning can aid the
creation and/or reinforcement of such polycentric models.
Keywords: territorial planning, sustainability, network of cities, sustainability, sustainable
territorial development.

David Lpez Casado, Department of Human Geography, University of Seville, davlopcas@alum.us.es

Mara D. Torralbo Obrero, Department of Physical Geography and Regional Geographical Analysis, University of
Seville, martorobr@alum.us.es
2

Sustainable Development Symposium | 6th annualEuropean postgraduate symposium | 1