Urban sprawl on the eastern part of the city encroach on the palm groves today. Beginning in 1884, railways sectioned off "huertas" from uninterrupted fields into isolated plots. In the 20th century, industrialization and urban sprawl led to the abandonment of many "huertas". Industrialization supplanted agricultural production economically, reducing palm groves to a cultural and landscape role. By the second half of the 20th century, date harvesting (which still occurs between November and December) and "white palm" production became heritage activities reserved for the local marketplace. Limited land availability for the expanding footwear industry and a rising urban population resulted in the government seizing many "huertas". Housing, social infrastructure, and parks were erected atop former "huertas". As industrialization reduced palm production to a minor economic role, the Palmeral contracted in size. Legislative action by the Spanish national government and Valencian regional government preserved the site.