The redevelopment project for the former Tres Xemeneies thermal power plant, located between Sant Adrià de Besòs and Badalona, envisions a new neighborhood with 1,783 homes, of which 714 will be affordable housing. However, methods are being studied to increase this number without altering the buildable area, an initiative aligned with the urban densification policy promoted by the Government.
The revision of the urban master plan (PDU) seeks to optimize the available space, which currently allocates 74,121 m² for protected housing. The idea is to make apartment dimensions more flexible, initially set between 75 and 78 m² of usable space, to accommodate more units. This measure would allow for a diversification of the housing supply, including homes for single individuals, couples without children, and families.
“"The housing crisis is much more evident and intensified than years ago. It's not about creating micro-apartments, but about being efficient with space to offer different types of housing for various tenants or buyers."
The proposal, outlined in an agreement presented by the Minister of Territory, is supported by the Coordinadora Veïnal del Baix Besòs (CVBB) and the Consorci del Besòs, comprising the Generalitat, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, and the city councils of the five local municipalities. The objective is to address the growing concern over the lack of affordable housing.
Despite initial reservations from the Badalona City Council in the past, which opposed reducing the size of social housing units, the current housing crisis has shifted perspectives. The Badalona Urban Planning councilor has expressed a positive assessment of the population increase, albeit with the need to study the implications this could have, such as the impact on the mobility plan.
“"The goal is to offer a better supply to residents and to have more affordable housing units to cater to more types of families, such as single-parent households."
