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Spain Housing Crisis Protests Intensify Across 40 Cities
Nationwide demonstrations rocked Spain this weekend as the housing crisis reached a critical point. Thousands of protestors mobilized in 40 cities throughout the country in coordinated actions to highlight the pressing issue of affordable housing in the southern European nation. The widespread discontent underscores the severity of the housing challenges facing residents.
Malaga Responds to Housing Pressure Amidst Demonstrations
Approximately 30,000 individuals participated in demonstrations in Malaga, a major city on the Costa del Sol. These actions appear to have prompted a response; the city council has announced the cancellation of plans to construct 1,300 residences intended for tourist accommodation. Furthermore, authorities are considering a potential “complete prohibition” on land sales to non-residents, indicating a significant shift in policy.
City Council Mulls Radical Measures
Francisco de la Torre, the Mayor of Malaga, stated that a new measure is under evaluation within the framework of the General Urban Planning Document (PGOU). This mandatory urban development plan dictates land allocation for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. The proposed measure signifies a robust intervention to address the escalating housing concerns.
Past Efforts and Proposed Moratorium
In the preceding year, Malaga implemented several measures aimed at controlling the development and purchase of tourist properties. These included prohibiting new holiday apartments in 43 neighborhoods, including areas like La Merced and Centro. Expanding on these efforts, Mayor De la Torre has now disclosed that a “global moratorium” is being considered, as reported by The Olive Press.
The proposal requires approval at a future Local Government Board meeting, for which a date has yet to be determined.
Assessing the Impact of Tourist Housing
“We are a municipality with a clear commitment to this issue and are actively seeking to understand the precise statistical situation,” the Mayor commented, emphasizing that existing strategies have already led to a notable reduction in registered holiday homes.
Regarding the prospective moratorium, De la Torre elaborated, “We aim to ascertain the total number of tourist residences, their specific locations, the quantity of newly established tourist apartments, the land area occupied by tourist rentals and hotels, and the geographic concentration of these developments.”
“Our objective is to determine how to harmonize tourism with the everyday life of the city,” he continued. “We need to establish guidelines to ensure a balanced coexistence.”
Concerns Over “Legality” and Land Reclassification
However, some apprehension has emerged concerning the Mayor’s emphasis on “legality.” Critics express worry that the city council, or even the national government, might initiate alterations to the PGOU and potentially reclassify certain land areas. Such changes could have significant implications for land use and development in Malaga.
Political Pressure and Citizen Discontent
Observers suggest that recent demonstrations protesting against “guiris” (foreigners) have made local politicians cautious and responsive to public sentiment. The surge in protests reflects growing unease among residents about the impact of tourism and foreign investment on housing affordability.
Civil Society Groups Voice Frustration
Malaga Para Vivir (Malaga For Living), a prominent advocacy group, was among numerous organizations participating in the April 5th demonstrations. Kike España, a spokesperson for the group, denounced Malaga’s economic model as a “scam.”
Voices from the Protests
- “Housing has become the most critical problem for citizens,” España stated to The Olive Press. “Everything in recent decades has been oriented towards transforming the center of Malaga into a tourist theme park benefiting only a select few, while displacing local residents.”
- Noemi Escobar, a member of another protest group, asserted that the issue is rooted in “the housing crisis and a city model predicated on real estate and tourism speculation, which forces out residents, creates job insecurity, and degrades the environment.”