International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sport
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to detect and analyze how sports tourism and strategic planning
related to sport and tourism have contributed to the urban and territorial development of some
Spanish cities such as Granada or Valencia, as well as to a well-known mature tourist destination
such as Costa del Sol in the South of Spain. Urban and territorial implications caused by these touristic
and sport developments are studied:the type of public spaces that promote the sport activities on the
urban space, how sport activities influence the local and visitor population, or their impact on local
economies.
In order to reach this objective, the paper is divided into two sections: City and Sport vs. Tourism and
Sport, and it stablishes a relationship between the three concepts: City, Tourism and Sports. In this
way, the urban content of the Strategic Plans and Sports Policies in Spain is reviewed, and it focuses
on the cases of Granada and Valencia as the result oftheir innovative sport planning policies. At the
same time,the research focuses on the tourism policies and their territorial and urban involvement in
the mature tourism destination ofCosta del Sol. The conclusions show a classification of urban spaces
and natural coastal environments that promote the informal sport activities on the public outdoor
space