The laws begin by addressing contact with indigenous people of the areas (an issue that arose following the voyage of Christopher Columbus). Focus is placed on the welfare of indigenous people emphasizing "peacemaking" between settlers and natives. Interestingly, although some of these laws were established prior to the conquering of previously mentioned Tenochtitlan, they were not followed (the Aztecs were nearly wiped out entirely when the Spanish took Tenochtitlan to create Mexico City).
The Laws of the Indies also place focus on the concept of urban planning, supporting the grid design for cities (this pattern is obvious in the earlier Santa Fe de Granada). This pattern emphasized a sense of centralized control where the most important people and buildings could be found in central locations. As a result of this, churches were often found in central locations as they represented the religion at the heart of the Spanish Empire.
Also noteworthy is the apparent effort to create "ideal cities"- the laws go so far as to specify preferred locations (not vulnerable to pirates), accessibility, elevation, and climate.
The Laws of the Indies served as an outline for creating settlements in newly discovered land, addressing all practical concerns in discovering, settling, and expanding new Spanish territory.
