Benidorm

In the early 1950s Benidorm, Spain was a centre for tuna fishing with about 3,000 inhabitants. Former farmland with olive and citrus groves were built upon after the Plan General de Urbanismo was passed in 1956. Initially it was planned as a Garden City. The size of the built up area multiplied 146 times between 1955 and 1964 and, in the following 20 years, by 760%. Nearly 4 million tourists visit Benidorm each year. The tower block hotels have been described as 'democratic', because they allow a view of the sea to a greater number of people. Others see them as an urban planning disaster.