The differential development in the gas industry in some small Spanish cities (1842-1924)

Abstract

The different rates of the technical networks growth – of gas, electricity, rail-roads or, more recently, the electronical system – is generally related to its possibilities of expansion, this possibilities, as well, depend on two essential conditions: a volume of continued demand and a degree of increasing reinvestment. Our contribution is essentially based on showing the effects of these two conditions in three Spanish cities of the 19^th century: Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga. In these three cities, due to its different characteristics, the development of gas network had different behaviors, which allows to reach some significant conclusions.