Urban penalty and health reform: the case of a mining city: La Unión (1870-1913)

Abstract

In the first part of this article, we analyze urban penalty from the perspective of market failures. In the second part, we offer data showing that La Union suffered urban penalty between 1870 and the First World War. Finally, in the third part, we quantify the expenditure invested by the city in health reform and document the failure to install condensation chambers in lead smelters in the city, despite this being a legal requirement. In conclusion, we support the hypothesis that the Union suffered an urban penalty up to the First World War because spending on health reform was insufficient and condensation chambers were not installed, which both have political explanations. The city was ruled by an oligarchy of business men, owners of mines and smelters and insensitive to the social problems. Less was invested in public health in comparison to other Spanish cities with similar populations, and public resources were used for private purposes. This same oligarchy did not comply with the state legislation requiring the introduction of condensation chambers in lead factories.