The Impact of Public Works in Spain: Natural, Constructed and Destroyed Landscape

Abstract

This article reflects on the relationship between the human being and nature. Nature is wild, dynamic, symbolic, and as slow in her evolution as she is dramatically quick in her catastrophes. Humankind is present on the planet, inhabits it, leaves its mark and, therefore, constructs with a meaning, that of “being in the world”. Its action, through the construction of Civil Engineering Works and spread of cities, constitutes an external “aggression” which changes the natural surrounds. That relationship has evolved throughout the history of four phases (submission, adaptation, conquest and respect). This is how the concept of natural landscape, constructed landscape and destroyed landscape appears on the basis of functional, aesthetic, environmental, economic and abstraction criteria, where the item constructed settles into the physical environment.