ABSTRACT
In recent decades, the limits of the urban space have been fading as location patterns of economic activity and population have changed. If we look back at history for a moment to contextualise, we note that, until the mid-19th century, most towns were contained behind the protection of walls or similar elements, and this delimitation of the urban space had fundamental implications for life, government, protection, power and provision of services. Towns, ‘wrapped’ in their walled enclosures, were protected from many of the risks affecting the rural population and developed distinct identities.
