Colonial urbanism in the age of the Enlightenment : the Spanish bourbon reforms in the river plate / Claudia Murray.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Murray, Claudia, author.

Series:

Anthem studies in Latin American literature and culture.

Anthem Studies in Latin American Literature and Culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Real estate development--Argentina--Buenos Aires--History--18th century.

Real estate development.

Real estate development--Argentina--Buenos Aires--History--19th century.

City planning--Argentina--Buenos Aires--History--18th century.

City planning.

City planning--Argentina--Buenos Aires--History--19th century.

Buenos Aires (Argentina)--History--18th century.

Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Buenos Aires (Argentina)--History--19th century.

Spain--Colonies--America--Administration.

Spain.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xix, 237 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

London : Anthem Press, 2023.

Summary:

This book tells the story of how the monarchy aimed at creating a new capital city in a remote and forgotten area of the empire. It also shows how the local Creole bourgeoisie rapidly assumed the role of urban developers, and enhanced their economic status by investing in and controlling the Buenos Aires' property market. In a short period, from 1776 to 1810, the urban transformation of Buenos Aires helped increase the Crown's revenues and considerably reduced contraband trade. Nevertheless, urban changes generated an internal struggle for power for the control of the city between the Spanish loyalist and the local wealthier Creoles. As this book concludes, for an empire such as the Spanish, which was built upon a network of cities, the Crown's loss of the control of Buenos Aires' urban space was a serious threat to its power that foreshadowed Argentina's wars of independence.

Contents:

Cover

Half-Title

Title

Copyright

Contents

List of figures and tables

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. The Spanish Empire before the Bourbon Reforms

The Geo-Administrative Division of the Colonial Territories in the Americas

The Spanish Empire Hierarchical System of Cities

Domination, Acculturation and the Colonial Society of the Eighteenth Century

Urban Tools for Domination: Foundational Myth, the Grid and Architectural Styles

The grid system

Urban planning

Architectural styles

2. The River Plate before 1776 and the Bourbon Reforms

The Foundation of Buenos Aires

Trade, Contraband and the Merchant Class

The Bourbon Reforms and the Intendancy System

Buenos Aires' Urban Geography prior to 1776

3. Urban Expansion

Land Control Changes

The Spatial Division of the City

Decentralisation of Market Activities

Emergence of Entrepreneurial Urban Developers

4. The Image of Power

Enlightened Urbanisation

Urban Improvements, the Real Ordenanza de Intendentes and Political Conflict

Street paving

Waste collection

Street lighting

Public Buildings and Government Offices

Investment in Government Offices

A Monarchical Power Losing Control of the Plaza Mayor

5. Ceremonies of Power

The King's Presence in the Colonies

The Ceremonies and the Hierarchical System of Cities

Viceroy's Arrivals in Buenos Aires

Symbolic Capital and Economy of Favour

Neoclassical Translations to Represent the Enlightened Empire in the River Plate

Ceremonies and Power Relations

6. Disciplining Porteños' Private Architecture

Government Regulations and the Development of Private Buildings

Regulation of the Entire Building Apparel

Investment in the Residential Real Estate Market

The Populace Takes Over the City

7. The British Assault on the River Plate.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 28 Feb 2024).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781785279829

1785279823

9781785279836

1785279831

OCLC:

1381293171