We are witnessing a very intense debate about housing prices and rents, derived from the emergence of other problems such as those generated by the so-called tourist apartments and seasonal apartments. It is a debate about a static situation when the dynamics of society have evolved in an extraordinary way.
The type of family model has changed, going from five or six members in the family unit to a situation of one or two, even three, but the change is so dramatic that it has to lead us to deep reflection and act accordingly. What purpose are 150-250 m2 homes when the residents, over 65 years old, are one or two?
The inefficiency of the cost of services (water, electricity and garbage) or infrastructure (streets, sanitation, traffic) that have been designed for large homes with six inhabitants and occupying scarce space and land cannot be supported, socially, when the occupants They are one or two. For a young man who wants to emancipate himself, a large apartment cannot be considered. We will have to offer you one of 40-50 m2, whose rental or purchase price is much more affordable.
The solution is supply, a supply of affordable housing that will be affordable if it is not disproportionate to the need. This requires that the Administration (City Councils and Autonomous Governments) proceed to promote housing appropriate to the needs by partitioning or dividing the large apartments in the center of the cities.
Madrid, for example, could put more than 30,000 affordable homes of 40 or 50 m2 on the market in a short time. This way we make both public and private capital profitable. Because, in addition, many families-couples or widows who live alone could capitalize on a partial sale or rental of their home because they no longer need it. This would mean making better use of what was built and making infrastructure and services more profitable.
This experience should not only refer to what has already been built, but these criteria must be taken into account in new urban developments. We continue to see large-volume real estate developments that are not adapted to the needs of these times, where statistics tell us that the average family has a maximum of 3 members. This goes for singles, couples or couples with a child or two. Let’s not waste urban assets by making them inefficient and therefore antisocial.
But for this to be possible, a paradigm shift in housing is necessary. ‘Another Housing Law’ is necessary to expedite this solution.
Certainly, the activity of renovating the homes to be divided would create important employment, in addition to making better use of the assets acquired at another time in life and at another stage of life.
The 21st century requires us to optimize everything available in the most efficient way possible and minimizing the carbon footprint.
JOSE ALBERTO PRADERA
Civil Engineer and former deputy general of Vizcaya
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