Urban and territorial dynamics of the single-monastic city: Perspectives from the Andalusian territory
Urban development in Europe is strongly influenced by monastic institutions, which have shaped the evolution of cities from the 13th century to the present day. While previous studies have explored cities with multiple monastic foundations, this research introduces and defines the concept of the sin...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2026 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de Sevilla (US) |
| Repositorio: | idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:idus.us.es:11441/180758 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/11441/180758 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106702 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Adaptive use Andalusia Single-monastic city Territorial planning Urban morphology Urban dynamics |
| Sumario: | Urban development in Europe is strongly influenced by monastic institutions, which have shaped the evolution of cities from the 13th century to the present day. While previous studies have explored cities with multiple monastic foundations, this research introduces and defines the concept of the single-monastic city. They are urban settlements that have hosted only one monastery throughout their history. In the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusia stands out for its rich monastic heritage. Focusing on 19 Andalusian cities protected as Historic Sites (BIC), this study analyses the urban and territorial implications of isolated monastic foundations. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines spatial mapping, typological classification, and legal analysis, the research reveals that single monastic institutions exerted a more limited influence on urban morphology compared to cities with complex monastic systems. Continuity of use -particularly religious or civic- emerges as the key factor in the preservation of these buildings, rather than their location or architectural value. Furthermore, the findings suggest that isolated monastic buildings do not consistently shape the urban fabric but may leave symbolic or spatial traces depending on context, use, and institutional support. This study contributes to broader discussions on urban heritage by highlighting the vulnerability and underrepresentation of singular monastic structures. It calls for tailored conservation strategies that consider function as a central component of heritage sustainability. |
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