26 Jun HOUSING IN BARCELONA

The Ecology, Urban Development and Mobility Commission has initially approved a modification to the General Metropolitan Plan to devote 30% of all newly-built homes or major refurbishments with an urban rooftop larger than 600 square metres to subsidised housing. This would mean between 300 and 400 low-cost dwellings a year, which would involve a growth in housing in the city of Barcelona.

When and how will this measure begin?

The licences granted before the final approval of the new ruling will not be bound by these requirements. Operations in which the housing or land was purchased between 1 July 2016 and the entry into force of this new ruling will also be exempt, provided the licence is presented within a two-year period following final approval. Furthermore, in the case of transactions completed between 1 January 2016 and 1 July 2016, 20% of all apartments must be used for housing instead of 30%.

These measures have been implemented in line with the law in relation to cities such as Paris or New York, where similar housing regulations are applied.

The measure is accompanied by the declaration of the city as an area of pre-emption and anticipation so that the Council is given first refusal on plots of land and buildings.

Once again it can be seen that there is political will, and regulations, laws and standards can be amended to meet the demands of a city, in this case Barcelona.

The sector will most likely require in-depth studies into the socio-economic networks of the different cities and their needs in order to provide long-lasting housing strategies and a driving force for the demand of their local real property.