L'habitatge a Barcelona : estat de la qüestió i alternatives

This article opens with a diagnosis of the problems affecting housing in Barcelona which takes the form of a description of the city’s residential fabric and a review of the evolution of its demographics and housing stock. The author goes on to propose possible strategic lines of action which might resolve the current housing shortage. The first of these is to encourage more intensive use of the existing stock, either by promoting rehabilitation and bringing empty stock into use, or by realising the full potential of existing sites. The latter could be achieved on the one hand through the renovation of public housing estates and the implementation of urban renewal schemes; and on the other by the development of land with unexploited potential, and by zoning for residential use some of the land currently attributed to the industrial zones of the city, thereby favouring, moreover, the creation of areas with a mix of economic and residential uses. The second proposal advocates facilitating access to housing by increasing the number of homes on offer, by creating more affordable housing, and by way of programs aimed at helping people to acquire their own home. In conclusion the author suggests that this program be intensified over the next ten years in order to take advantage of the demand for housing generated internally by the city, and to meet the demand created by the large number of young people reaching the age of independence.