Infrastructure policy in Spain. A model to revise

Abstract

Transport infrastructures have always been a concern in the contemporary history of Spain.
For a long time, the difference of the economic and social development of the country was measured
with regard to the world and especially with regard to the neighbouring countries of Europe, using this
standard. In the xx century, and especially from the decade of the 80s, the investment in transport in
Spain was intensified and reached a peak between 1997 and 2009. With this investment, Spain
achieved a level similar -and even superior- to other countries of the European Union. However, this
growth was achieved with controversial presuppositions which gave priority to extension over use,
equity over efficiency, reproducing the Isabelino period (that of Isabel II, in the middle of the xix
century) which is when the State became preoccupied by this type of policy. It is necessary to adapt
the transport infrastructures to a new scenario, strengthening freight transport, abandoning the radial
net map and assuming Spain belonging to a trans-European network which has to leave its mark on
future decisions. Only by strengthening the exterior connections serving the productive economy and
abandoning the old model of infrastructures based on “excess capacity”, developing a new nonhierarchical
network structure and a focusing almost exclusively on passengers will it be possible to
address the challenges of the xxi century. Analysing the origin of the model in the Isabelino period of
the xix century, the article explores the construction of this model and its consequences for the present
time, as well as its necessary revision.