Barcelona’s investments in water resources in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern and Santa Creu d’Olorda until the arrival of the Canal de la Infanta

Abstract

This communication studies the Barcelona investments in water resources in the municipalities of Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern and Santa Creu d'Olorda. The chronology of this study covers the period from the early medieval concessions prior to the arrival of Infanta Channel, in 1819. Specifically, the study focuses on the concessions of the Batllia General de Catalunya for the uptake of both the surface waters as the ground. I listed investments to drive the water through mining to large estates of the plane of the Llobregat.

The investments of Barcelona elite in the Llobregat lower transformed this area. Over the centuries the distribution of water resources was changing according to economic and social changes, with the common characteristic of the lack of participation of local institutions in water management. Representatives of new emerging economic groups invested in land and water works to supply their farms. This article looks at the different stages and situations in which these changes occurred. It relates the use of water with the ownership structure and the origin and creation of large estates in this part of the Lower Llobregat.

On the other hand, is an approach to investment elites and the transformation of socioeconomic relations linked to the possession of the water. We also analyzed the disputes, breakdowns, and the covenants and balances that were set around the water.