The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i>
The <i>Huerta</i> is recognised as one of the 13 specific agricultural landscapes in Europe, present in only three Mediterranean countries, namely Spain, Italy, and Greece. In the case of Spain, three areas fall within the established <i>Huerta</i> agricultural classification...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/11/460 |
| _version_ | 1827702000906665984 |
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| author | Pablo Martí Clara García-Mayor |
| author_facet | Pablo Martí Clara García-Mayor |
| author_sort | Pablo Martí |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The <i>Huerta</i> is recognised as one of the 13 specific agricultural landscapes in Europe, present in only three Mediterranean countries, namely Spain, Italy, and Greece. In the case of Spain, three areas fall within the established <i>Huerta</i> agricultural classification: the <i>Huertas de Valencia</i>, <i>Murcia</i>, and <i>Vega Baja</i>. While all of them share common landscape features, each <i>Huerta</i> has distinguishing singularities which are approached through two perspectives: firstly, the structural tangible elements, related to functional networks—water distribution, pathways networks, settlement patterns, and the agricultural production system; and secondly, the role of the intangible components—connotations of the word <i>Huerta</i>, water management, canal and path upkeep rules, and the administration of these territories. The analysis of the tangible elements and intangible components in the three Spanish <i>Huertas</i> shows these territories as complex and balanced systems that have historically counterbalanced the environmental drawbacks in one of the most arid European regions. Despite being a highly appreciated environmental and productive asset, these <i>Huertas</i> are under intense pressure from urban development in highly urbanized metropolitan areas. This study shows <i>Huertas’</i> uniqueness through their historical role in the territorial planning and management strategies at the local level, finally depicting <i>Huertas</i> as a present strategical opportunity for reaching environmental goals in peri-urban areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:46:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ce2b7c9966e0463f981ae72dd51fee73 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T14:46:10Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-ce2b7c9966e0463f981ae72dd51fee732023-11-20T21:24:57ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2020-11-0191146010.3390/land9110460The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i>Pablo Martí0Clara García-Mayor1Urban Design and Regional Planning Unit, Building Sciences and Urbanism Department, University of Alicante, E-03080 Alicante, SpainUrban Design and Regional Planning Unit, Building Sciences and Urbanism Department, University of Alicante, E-03080 Alicante, SpainThe <i>Huerta</i> is recognised as one of the 13 specific agricultural landscapes in Europe, present in only three Mediterranean countries, namely Spain, Italy, and Greece. In the case of Spain, three areas fall within the established <i>Huerta</i> agricultural classification: the <i>Huertas de Valencia</i>, <i>Murcia</i>, and <i>Vega Baja</i>. While all of them share common landscape features, each <i>Huerta</i> has distinguishing singularities which are approached through two perspectives: firstly, the structural tangible elements, related to functional networks—water distribution, pathways networks, settlement patterns, and the agricultural production system; and secondly, the role of the intangible components—connotations of the word <i>Huerta</i>, water management, canal and path upkeep rules, and the administration of these territories. The analysis of the tangible elements and intangible components in the three Spanish <i>Huertas</i> shows these territories as complex and balanced systems that have historically counterbalanced the environmental drawbacks in one of the most arid European regions. Despite being a highly appreciated environmental and productive asset, these <i>Huertas</i> are under intense pressure from urban development in highly urbanized metropolitan areas. This study shows <i>Huertas’</i> uniqueness through their historical role in the territorial planning and management strategies at the local level, finally depicting <i>Huertas</i> as a present strategical opportunity for reaching environmental goals in peri-urban areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/11/460<i>Huerta</i> landscapewater landscapesperi-urban agricultural landscaperesilient landscapeimmaterial heritageSpanish Mediterranean <i>Huertas</i> |
| spellingShingle | Pablo Martí Clara García-Mayor The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i> Land <i>Huerta</i> landscape water landscapes peri-urban agricultural landscape resilient landscape immaterial heritage Spanish Mediterranean <i>Huertas</i> |
| title | The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i> |
| title_full | The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i> |
| title_fullStr | The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i> |
| title_short | The <i>Huerta</i> Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific <i>Huertas</i> |
| title_sort | i huerta i agricultural landscape in the spanish mediterranean arc one landscape two perspectives three specific i huertas i |
| topic | <i>Huerta</i> landscape water landscapes peri-urban agricultural landscape resilient landscape immaterial heritage Spanish Mediterranean <i>Huertas</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/11/460 |
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