Barcelona plans new social housing project

Plans towards a new social housing as part of the program Provisional Proximity Accommodation (Aprop) are underway, according to the Barcelona City Council. In the first phase of the project, three plots of land have been selected in three different zones of the city, including the centre. Building is forecast to be completed between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. The new residences will be designated to young and elderly people, people in a housing crisis, as well as refugees. A total of 92 dwellings will be available once constriction is complete.

The locations chosen are where “the phenomenon of gentrification” is causing the most problems, according to the deputy mayor of social rights, Laia Ortiz. The new housing will be located in the Gòtic neighbourhood (in the centre of the city,) Sants (in the west,) and Poble Nou (the former industrial neighbourhood in the north.) Rent has been steadily increasing in these areas over the years.

“We have many needs for housing, for all kinds of residents in the city, and Aprop wants to respond to this,” explained Ortiz.

Alternative solutions

At a meeting with entities and representatives from the cities of Munich and Amsterdam, the plots for the buildings, which will be prefabricated structures, were presented. Also discussed were the benefits and suitability of alternative housing.

According to Ortiz, the project in the Catalan capital has been inspired by an initiative in Munich, where “young people and refugees” live in the same building. The “mix” is “interesting” at the level of “space management,” the deputy mayor said, explaining how Aprop’s new housing will have common spaces, and it will be up to the residents themselves to “manage the building.”

Building communities

The smallest property will be constructed in the Gòtic area, with four double occupancy, and eight single occupancy lodgings. The building will also have an urban garden on the roof, as well as space for community activities.

In Sants, the  building will be made up of a total of 40 dwellings (32 double occupancies, and 8 singles.) As well as a green space on the roof, a shared laundry room and community spaces are also planned. The housing will be of a similar size in Poble Nou, with 5 single occupancies instead of 8, with a garden and areas for communal activities as well.

Once the building is complete, the 92 dwellings will be open to a competition. Those who get chosen will get a rental contract of six years.