Eroding Franco
‘Eroding Franco’ is a photography project that relates Franco’s regime’s environmental debt (1939-1975) to Spain’s current desertification crisis.
Desertification, the transformation of fertile territories into barren landscapes, is a critical global challenge intensified by unsustainable practices such as poor water management or harmful agricultural methods. While this environmental challenge spans continents, its imprint is deeply felt in Spain.
The legacy of Francoism goes beyond social and political repression. The regime’s decisions over 36 years, fostered a culture of destruction and neglect for the land, prioritizing economic growth.
The regime cemented mass tourism, agro-industry, and construction as the ‘economic pillars’ of Spain, setting the stage for the country’s future. These ‘economic pillars’, comprising around 30% of Spain’s economy today, were heavily promoted in the 1960s and 70s, an era referred to as the “Spanish economic miracle” (1959-1974) that established the transformation of Spain into a ‘desertification machine’.
According to scientific reports from the Spanish Ministry of Environment, this legacy has set the country on a trajectory where, by the end of the 21st century, it is estimated that 80% of its territory could be grappling with the critical impacts of desertification.
During Franco’s era, some scientists studied Spain’s environmental trajectory and potential consequences. However, the regime, possibly without fully understanding these implications, prioritized other aspects of development and economic growth. This lack of awareness set Spain on a path that would pose significant environmental challenges for future generations.
The synergy between historical information and contemporary photography is at the heart of ‘Eroding Franco.’ It delves into the key factors of Spain’s desertification—mass tourism, construction, and agroindustry—and intertwines archival research with documentary photography, offering a comprehensive but distinct perspective of how past decisions shape present realities.
Alongside the historical legacies, Spain’s desertification crisis is exacerbated by contemporary climatic factors such as torrential rains and wildfires. These events are often caused and worsened by human actions in the context of climate change, stripping away fertile land and leaving behind poverty, especially in rural areas. As fields turn barren, farmers struggle, highlighting a direct link between environmental damage and economic hardship. This aspect of the story shows the ongoing effects of past decisions on today’s communities, adding a crucial layer to our understanding of Spain’s environmental and social landscape.
‘Eroding Franco’ seeks to expand photographic boundaries by incorporating scientific insights, offering a fresh perspective on the human-environment narrative. The project challenges conventional thinking and immerses audiences in the realities of climate change. In essence, ‘Eroding Franco’ underscores the importance of understanding our past to address today’s pressing environmental challenges.
This project is made possible with support from the National Geographic Society, The Royal Photographic Society, and Photographic Social Vision.
AuthorJordi Jon PardoYear2024LocationSpainStatusWork in progress
Background: El Cabo Cope, a largely virgin enclave of the Mediterranean coast, stands as one of the last bastions against mass tourism, a development that has transformed much of Spain's Mediterranean coastline.
As the sun dips beyond the horizon, tourists gather to soak in the captivating spectacle of Benidorm. Once a humble fishing village, the city was radically transformed during Franco’s regime with a vision of establishing a coastal tourism hub. Decades later, it stands as Spain’s major epicenter for mass tourism. However, a crucial environmental concern emerges beneath the allure of beaches and vibrant nightlife. According to the Spanish Forum of the Economy of Water, a typical tourist in Spain reportedly uses three to four times more water than a resident, approximating 300-400 liters per day. This highlights the significant environmental strain the burgeoning tourism industry imposes on Spain’s natural resources, raising important considerations for sustainable development. Benidorm, June 2022.
A souvenir from Benidorm offers a tangible representation of the marine ecosystem. Since Francoism, the city's booming tourist industry has reshaped the landscape, compressing dunes into beaches and replacing natural coastlines with concrete. As recent studies have revealed, such urban developments have led to habitat loss and a decrease in biodiversity, challenging the survival of native marine life. In the broader context of climate change, with rising sea levels and changing weather patterns forecasted to alter coastal landscapes, Benidorm's commitment to enhancing coastal resilience becomes crucial. Benidorm, October 2022
Tabernas, once the cinematic playground for spaghetti westerns, now hosts a unique theme park. The dusty lanes and weather-beaten structures that once acted as backdrops for dramatic duels and horse chases are now populated with visitors, each relishing their chance to step into a live-action western narrative. Beyond its entertainment value, Tabernas holds a more profound, somewhat chilling relevance. Situated in the heart of the desert, it is a potential precursor for the country's environmental future. As Spain grapples with escalating desertification, Tabernas may offer an early glimpse of the landscape that could define the nation by 2100. Tabernas, June 2021.
Background: A close view of a barren hillside in Tabernas. Tabernas, May 2019.
Water Paradox in a thirsty land: Swimming pools within tourist apartments in Torrevieja, a town in the water-stressed southeastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain’s paradox and status as one of the countries with the highest number of swimming pools per capita worldwide, with one pool per 35 inhabitants, despite its growing desertification and acute water scarcity This scenario is more than an ironic contrast but a confrontation of the intricate relationship between water management, tourism, and environmental conservation. The prevalence of swimming pools, primarily driven by the demands of mass tourism, signifies an uneasy imbalance when facing an escalating water crisis. Herein lies a tension between economic pursuits and environmental sustainability, where abundant water, a life-sustaining resource, is used liberally for widespread recreational purposes. While catering to tourism's temporary needs, this usage inadvertently perpetuates the cycle of desertification, a major outcome of which is further water scarcity. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle, where attempts to alleviate one issue inadvertently exacerbate another. Torrevieja, July 2023.
Reflecting on Spain's historical transformation during the late 1960s and '70s, this collection of postcards captures the dawn of mass tourism and the ushering in of an era driven by technical governance and economic expansion. They are time windows to a moment when Spain was on the cusp of change, evolving from post-war isolation to global exposure. Yet, beyond their sun-soaked facades lies the inception of an environmental trajectory that resonates profoundly with Spain's contemporary landscape challenges. Spain, April 2024.
Background: A fence lines the edge of a greenhouse in the 'Sea of Plastic,' where endless rows of polytunnel greenhouses dominate the landscape, another road to the intensive agro-industry thriving in the region, the world’s largest greenhouse complex. Adra, November 2019.
The Church of Mediano stands as a ruin of Spain’s dam-building legacy. During the Franco era, an ambitious water policy led to a proliferation of these structures across the nation. This period saw tension between visions of how and for what purpose water should be used: to power the growing electrical demands of a modernizing Spain or to nourish fields and sustain agriculture? Dams and reservoirs became symbols of progress and modernity, grandly inaugurated by the regime. Yet, behind these massive hydraulic structures lie stories of displacement, of submerged towns like Mediano, and of lives forever altered. Spain’s water reservoirs, currently accounting for the highest number of large dams in the European Union, stand testament to these complex narratives of progress, displacement, and ecological considerations. In the photograph, the Church of Mediano, built in the XVI century, normally inundated, emerges completely from the water. The village of Mediano was inundated in 1969, and now, particularly during times of drought, the church’s appearance prompts reflections on the balance between human ambition and nature’s resilience. Mediano, August 2023.
Former Argusino residents, a Castilian village submerged by the Reservoir of the Almendra, gather to remember their lost home. In this image, captured at the edge of the pantano, stand members of "Argusino Vive," an association dedicated to preserving the memory of Argusino de Sayago. Born between the 1930s and 1950s, these individuals represent the last generation to have lived in the village before it was submerged in 1967 due to Francoist policies. These massive infrastructure projects often came at significant human and environmental costs. The decision to flood Argusino displaced its inhabitants, erasing their homes and heritage under the waters of the Reservoir of the Almendra. This story is mirrored in places like Mediano, highlighting a widespread practice that has affected over 500 villages across Spain. Argusino Vive, comprising natives, descendants, and friends of the lost village, strives to keep the spirit and history of their submerged place alive. Their collective efforts remind us of the resilience of those who, despite being uprooted, continue to honor their origins and fight for the recognition of their past. Argusino, July 2024.
After a rare rainfall, the Rambla de Albox, a tributary of the Almanzora River, briefly reclaims its role as a waterway in southeastern Spain, hosting transient pools that reflect the fleeting clouds above. For most of the year, however, its dry riverbed underscores the challenges of water scarcity that confront a region increasingly affected by drought and intensified urban development. Albox, May 2024.
Naseem, a ten-year resident in Albox, and Imran, who has newly arrived from Islamabad, discuss life's challenges far from their homeland. Behind them, a faded sign depicts a real estate project that never materialized, unfulfilled ambitions during Spain's economic crisis. As Imran learns Spanish and adapts to his new surroundings, the surrounding landscape, marked by unused plots and modern ruins, underscores the region's unrealized economic potential. Albox, May 2024.
Fields of greenhouses ripple across the Southeast, creating the ‘Mar de Plástico’ or ‘Sea of Plastic’ in the province of Almería. Concealed behind the gates of Adra, these hectares of greenhouses mask an underlying reality of lands affected by waste pollution and chemical residues. The birth of this agro-industrial expanse dates back to the 1960s, during Franco’s period of autarky. Fast forward to nearly six decades later, this corner of Southern Spain has morphed into the largest conglomeration of greenhouses in the world. The relentless spread of these greenhouses has now claimed more than 30.000 hectares of Mediterranean nature. Adra, July 2021.
A reflection of the Christ of Monteagudo, initially erected in 1926 atop a historically Islamic castle, was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII as a symbol of Christian supremacy and met its demise during the Spanish Civil War, torn down by Republican forces. The act was emblematic of the broader secular and anti-clerical sentiments that marked the Republican side, reflecting their opposition to the Church’s alignment with the Nationalists. After the war, Franco, seizing the symbolic and ideological power of the statue, ordered its reconstruction in 1951. A calculated assertion of his regime's commitment to re-establishing and centralizing Catholic values as a cornerstone of his authoritarian rule, intertwining the narrative of religious revival with the narrative of national recovery under Francoism. A sentinel etched against the sky, the silent narrative of the Southeast reveals itself—a portrait woven with threads of fervent belief and the former reality of nature's plight. And despite its contentious past, the Christ of Monteagudo remains a tourist attraction in the Southeast. Monteagudo, April 2024.
The ancient holm oak in El Valle Almanzora, recognized as Andalusia's largest tree, has witnessed centuries of history but now faces a dire future due to the impacts of desertification. Since 2021, its grand stature has been artificially supported, employing bracing to counteract the accelerating impacts of climate change. Almería's rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall contribute to severe water stress, challenging the tree's survival while diseases and pests exploit its weakened defenses. Valle del Almanzora, May 2024.
José Pascuali, a sheep farmer from Tábara, stands on his grazing land next to a charred oak tree, a remnant of the devastating 2022 Sierra de la Culebra fires. Among the most catastrophic in Spain's history, these wildfires scorched 60.000 hectares and claimed four lives, severely disrupting the land's hydrologic function, biological productivity, and ecosystem services. The intensive planting of pines, a policy intensified during Franco's regime to control erosion and stimulate rural economies, has shown its long-term limitations due to high flammability and biodiversity loss. Despite these issues, pines are being replanted in the reforestation efforts, a controversial decision among the inhabitants of Castilla y León who know these trees' considerations. Pascuali emphasizes the importance of extensive grazing in mitigating these effects: "If it weren't for the livestock, this place would turn into a powder keg." Despite significant economic losses and insufficient support from authorities, Pascuali remains hopeful for the upcoming years, advocating for better rural policies and sustainable forest management to prevent future degradation. Tábara, July 2024.
In the aftermath of the catastrophic 2022 Sierra de la Culebra fires, heavy machinery is used to process the remains of burned pines, stripping branches and cutting trunks into logs. This method is part of a reforestation strategy that has sparked significant debate. Local communities are deeply concerned about replanting pine monocultures, a practice rooted in Franco's policies. These fast-growing pines are highly flammable and contribute to ecological imbalance, increasing the risk of future wildfires. The preference for pines over native species like oak and holm oak undermines the long-term health of the ecosystem and exacerbates desertification. Firefighters and forest rangers face immense challenges in tackling these large-scale wildfires, often finding their resources stretched thin. The magnitude and intensity of the fires demand extensive manpower and equipment, highlighting the urgent need for improved preparation and resource allocation. Despite these difficulties, the resilience and determination of local communities and firefighting personnel remain strong, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable forest management practices. Zamora, July 2024.
Background: The impact of 'La Gota Fría': In the aftermath of torrential rains, the municipal pavilion in Benferri was blanketed in mud. This severe weather phenomenon, commonly striking numerous Mediterranean communities towards summer's end, left a trail of destruction in its wake. Benferri, September 2019.
A regular football match unfolds every evening in the Almanzora River. It’s a shared ritual for the young African men who call this region home. Their vitality contrasts the arid surroundings shaped by relentless climate shifts and human actions. Here, the Almanzora River stands as a shadow of its former self. Once a thriving waterway, it has been reduced to an almost dry riverbed by persistent droughts and local agricultural practices. In this environment of scarcity, the residents' everyday lives and leisure activities persist, creating a juxtaposition between human tales and environmental crises. Cuevas del Almanzora, August 2020.
In the stillness of an empty laboratory, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remained. This photo, taken in February 2021, captures Sener Aeroespacial, a leading Spanish aerospace research and engineering company. Their work focuses on the environmental impacts of human activity, particularly the advancing desertification in the Iberian Peninsula. In November 2020, a mistake caused a devastating trajectory deviation of a rocket carrying Spain’s SeoSat-Ingenio and France’s Taranis, resulting in the loss of a decade-long €200 million project to monitor European climate changes. Despite this setback, the company's dedication to sustainable practices remains steadfast. Barcelona, February 2021.
Left: Embodied within ‘Eroding Franco’ is an exploration of the daily transformation of our environment for the sake of human pursuits. This global phenomenon sits at the complex nexus of economic growth and ecological sustainability. At the heart of this exploration, we find ourselves in Òdena, Barcelona, home to a significant metal foundry. This place is just another room in which humans relentlessly quest for progress. Raw materials - a product of extensive mining activities - are metamorphosed into components integral to our daily lives and industry machinery. ‘Eroding Franco’ endeavors to capture these intersections between historical forces, human actions, and the environment’s resilience, reiterating our collective responsibility towards our planet. Òdena, March 2021. Right: Located in the Almanzora region, this expansive marble quarry, larger than Manhattan, has been declared public property since 1947. It has adorned civilization's evolution for centuries, its marble shaping landmarks from ancient Rome to iconic structures like the Alhambra in Granada. Central to the local economy, this marble has also graced the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi and numerous ancient amphitheaters, palaces, and sacred locations. This vast landscape hosts a legacy of human craftsmanship harmonizing with natural resources, significantly shaping not only majestic structures but also the cultural identity of its community. Almanzora, May 2024.
The football field in Beas de Granada is distinctive for its grayish-white surface, which is sourced from the local mountain. This feature is made possible by Triturados Puerto Blanco, a company that has been extracting materials from the village’s quarry since the 1960s era of Spanish developmentalism. This use of local aggregates mirrors the area's geology and integrates the village's natural resources into its community life and infrastructure. Beas de Granada, May 2024.
Background: Over four decades, the Alcover Quarry in Tarragona has meticulously harvested limestone, a testament to the enduring balance between industrial progress and the Spanish landscape's integrity. Its materials contribute to civil works, honoring a tradition that melds the natural with the built environment. Alcover, May 2021.
From chains to waves: once a Francoist concentration camp, now a water park where memories fade into the waters of oblivion. This composite image juxtaposes an official record of the Francoist concentration camp in Torremolinos with a current aerial view of the exact location, now Aqualand. The transition from a site of repression to one of leisure underscores a collective amnesia about Spain's dark past, emphasizing the shift towards mass tourism initiated during the 'Spanish economic miracle.' Torremolinos, May 2024.
As dynamite shatters the tranquility of Alcover’s mountains, a 'soundscape' to the pursuit of construction resources plays. This quarry in southern Catalonia, a vortex of limestone extraction, is just a small symbol of Spain’s aggressive construction boom. It embodies the visual desertification borne out of this insatiable demand. Meanwhile, Spain has around 4 million empty houses, making it the country in Europe with the highest number of unoccupied homes. The efforts of conscientious companies to counterbalance this toll are noble yet insufficient, as open-pit mining continues to etch lifeless patches onto Spain’s landscapes, creating zones that defy easy rehabilitation. The environmental impact of Spain's building sector highlights past mistakes, pointing to a legacy that prioritized economic growth over ecological conservation. This underscores the consequences of these choices and emphasizes the urgent need for a shift toward sustainable construction practices to protect our natural environment. Alcover, March 2021.
Eugenio Merino’s silicon representation of Franco, a portrait of Spain’s past. Even more than four decades after his death, Franco’s shadow continues to pervade Spanish society, inciting fervent debates and controversies. The 2016 Barcelona exhibition ‘Franco, Victòria, República’ manifested Spain’s ongoing struggle to reconcile with its contentious history, evidencing the perpetual dialogue it holds with its past. While many physical statues of Franco have been dismantled, his symbolic presence persists. Streets and buildings bearing names tied to his dictatorship continue to fuel controversy. His influence extends far beyond politics, etching deep into Spain’s societal fabric. Barcelona, October 2016.
