Transformación comercial, gentrificación productiva y turismo: caso de estudio de un eje comercial de Barcelona a partir de Google Street View

This article explores the use of historical images from Google Street View (GSV) as a source of information for the evolutionary analysis of the function and type of economic fabric. A commercial axis in the historic centre of Barcelona is used as a case study in order to assess the capacity of the source in the analysis of the processes of touristification of the city. On the basis of greater profitability, touristification might be triggering a dynamic of specialisation in the use of land that directs its surroundings towards leisure activities and tourist consumption. The results showed a transformation in the area studied, such as a greater concentration of tourist attraction activities, an increase in the number of activity rotations and a decline in everyday commerce. The analysis concluded that, although the source of information has some limitations, it offers relevant information that is very useful both for methodological reasons and because of the lack of resources for this and other types of analysis. Its use to confirms that, in the case under study, the transformation process meant the displacement of traditional activities, the reduction of their diversity and the acceleration of the processes of renewal and replacement. In addition, these changes could lead to other consequences to be explored such the symbolic relationships with space or the importance of daily commerce.