Planificación y desarrollo sostenible. Análisis comparativo de las ciudades de León (España) y Perpiñán (Francia)

Resumen

León and Perpignan, in spite of belonging to different countries and cultures, have many similarities that are evident through this research. Leon is located northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, at the crossroads of Galicia, Asturias and northern Portugal. Perpignan is located in northern Catalonia, in an area of intersection between Spain and France. These two intermediate-sized cities are the capitals of their provinces with 100,000¿plus populations. Even though they have small municipalities, they have embarked on large projects, such as those related to sustainable development. Their evolution has displayed a commitment to use essential resources and simultaneously ensure the sustainability of natural ecosystems, not only for us, but also for the generations ahead. Therefore, issues such as town planning, urban renewal, economic policies and social measures are essential actors for assessing sustainability levels in both municipalities. This thesis analyses the possibility of applying a large concept such as sustainable development in small areas like León and Perpignan. Both Spanish and French national laws have been compared, and how this translates when considering economic, social and territorial factors. The situation of these two vulnerable municipalities with regard to the current economic crisis and its short and long-term consequences has also been discussed. Finally, we have evaluated the relevance of the sustainability measures adopted in these cities.