President Salvador Illa has urged Catalan municipalities to build as much housing as available space allows, with the Generalitat identifying 69 priority areas in the Barcelona metropolitan area where planning could support more homes.

For residents facing limited housing options, the proposal could mean more development in currently undeveloped plots, mainly in the second and third metropolitan rings. The Govern also has a proposed amendment to Catalonia’s urban-planning law intended to shorten construction times.

“We must change the urban-planning model and densify as much as we can,” Illa said in an interview with El Periódico.

More homes permitted on identified plots

According to reporting on Illa’s housing strategy, the 69 areas are sites where municipal plans set housing densities below the maximum of 100 dwellings per hectare permitted by Catalan urban-planning law.

The sites are intended to help meet a target of 214,000 additional homes in Catalunya. The new Pla Director Urbanístic Metropolità, or metropolitan urban master plan, remains in development and is expected to guide the approach.

  • 69 priority areas have been identified in the metropolitan area.
  • 100 dwellings per hectare is the maximum density cited under Catalan urban-planning law.
  • 214,000 additional homes is the housing target linked to the policy.

Addressing mayors and councillors at the first Fòrum Municipalisme, Illa said the Generalitat would provide political, legal and financial backing for municipalities that pursue new housing. He described access to housing as a country-wide emergency.

“Even if there is a protest banner, the Govern will stand by your side. You are key to this country-wide mission,” Illa told local representatives.

Illa has also used the term “intensification”, a concept associated with Barcelona City Council’s chief architect, Maria Buhigas, while maintaining the aim of allowing more homes in suitable urban spaces.

Architects warn against overcrowding

Guim Calsamiglia, dean of the Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya, the Catalan architects’ association, said housing density should not be confused with overcrowding. The debate centres on how to add homes without reducing residents’ quality of life or returning municipalities to a commuter-town model.

Municipalities covered by the proposals will be central to deciding how the identified plots are planned and developed, with the Generalitat offering the support promised by Illa.

Primary sources: Generalitat de Catalunya, gov.uk. Reported by Source Text Link, Albert Sáez,Júlia Regué, Sara González, M. Arenas / À. Rebollo / S. González, Sabina Feijóo Macedo, europapress.es, CatalunyaPress.es, by, Bryan Walsh, imf.org, bbc.com, mainepublic.org, Tyler Williams, designingbuildings.co.uk, nationalhousing.gov.zw, dailynews.gov.bw, Kim K, insidehousing.co.uk, El Periódico Barcelona.