Population and Urbanization

In Europe, during approximately 150 years starting from the late 15th century, the population experienced a 50% increase. While this growth continued dynamically in the 16th century, it slowed down and eventually stagnated in the first half of the 17th century.

The population growth spurred a significant boom in handicraft industries; however, this did not necessarily result in an increased demand for artisanal products. Demand was primarily dependent on the size of agricultural land. Only land that provided sufficient food and surplus allowed peasants to purchase industrial goods. If agricultural land did not expand, the purchasing power for other products remained limited. In the 16th century, despite population growth, the size of the land available for food production did not increase. Consequently, surpluses could not be generated. Food prices rose faster than monetary incomes, leading to a decline in the market for industrial goods and the purchasing power available for such products.

In the mid-17th century, as population growth declined or stagnated, food prices also fell while incomes remained unchanged, increasing purchasing power. Urban dwellers required grain, prompting landowners to increase production and expand their estates at the expense of small peasant farms. The surplus production of large estates allowed for the purchase of artisanal goods, indirectly boosting industrial production. Local farms could not fully meet the demand for grain, and the shortage was supplemented with Polish grain imports, often of lower quality for the lower classes. In return, Western European agricultural and artisanal products arrived at Polish ports, including French wine, Dutch smoked fish, and English and Dutch woolens. This vibrant trade stimulated shipbuilding activities.

Demographic growth affected not only the development of handicrafts but also the distribution of the population between rural and urban areas. In 1500, Europe had only four cities with populations exceeding 100,000, none of which surpassed 200,000. By 1700, the number of cities with 100,000 inhabitants had increased to 12, with four cities exceeding 200,000. As rural areas became increasingly unable to support their populations, many people moved to cities in search of livelihoods. Cities swelled in size, with Paris, London, Madrid, Naples, and Rome among those growing into major urban centers. Population growth in cities necessitated extensive construction projects, including housing, city walls, churches, town halls, and bridges.

The housing issues were addressed through the construction of new homes, leading to the emergence of entire residential neighborhoods within a few decades. However, the lack of hygiene and overcrowding facilitated the spread of diseases and epidemics. The construction boom was also driven by Renaissance and Baroque aspirations to design and beautify cities. The irregular layouts and narrow, winding streets characteristic of medieval cities were replaced with order. Wide streets and aesthetically appealing squares were developed.

Another impetus for urban transformation was the evolution of military practices. The advent and rapid development of artillery necessitated the construction of new city walls and encouraged the use of bricks and dressed stone. Additionally, the emergence of carriages and coaches in the late 16th century further exacerbated the congestion of narrow streets, making wider roads essential.

One example of this construction boom is Rome, where, during the 16th century, 54 churches, 60 palaces, 20 villas, three aqueducts, 35 outdoor fountains, and 30 new streets were built, renovated, or expanded. This development was not unique to Rome but also characterized cities such as Venice, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Paris, and smaller German princely towns.

The construction frenzy soon reached rural areas as well. Among the upper classes, spending part of the year in the countryside became fashionable, leading to a proliferation of rural villas, luxurious country residences, and opulent castles. As a result of these trends, the construction industry became a significant economic sector.

Domenico Sella " Die gewerbliche Produktion in Europa 1500-1700, in Europäische Wirtschaftsgeschichte 16.-17. Jh., Stuttgart-New York, 1979, ford. Surján Zsófia