Planning chaos holds back construction of over two million homes in Spain
A study argues that market collapse, not planning rules, is holding back the construction of 2 million homes in Spain. The debate on Burbuja.info reveals sharply divided views.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Over two million homes: the excuse of planning chaos
An industry study claims that the hold-up in building more than two million homes is not just down to planning chaos, but to the collapse of the property market. On Burbuja.info, the debate goes much further: some talk of artificial scarcity, of a lack of solvent demand and of the need to change the buying and selling system. The thread, sparked by an article in El Confidencial, dissects the real causes and the proposed solutions.
The study that demolishes the official narrative
The user Vlad_Empalador opens the thread with a provocative thesis: urban planning is not the main culprit. The study cited argues that the root cause is the collapse of the property market, and proposes returning to Spain's mandatory building laws. The community's response is immediate and sceptical. Benedicto Camela boils it down to a simple diagnosis: "In other words, they intend to solve the problems created by socialism with more socialism." For him, public intervention is the problem, not the solution.
Two opposing views: artificial scarcity vs. lack of demand
Vanderwilde and brus agree that there are plenty of homes, but they are being hoarded. "They've spent decades making it impossible," says the former; brus adds that not even 30 million new homes would change anything under the current buying, selling and hoarding system. On the other side, Pepita de sandia focuses on demand: "There's no solvent demand and there won't be financing for everyone like in the old days," and suggests building cheap houses without complying with planning rules and giving up tax revenue. Janus proposes a mixed recipe: build freely and reform mortgage culture, with payments not exceeding 30% of income and maximum terms of 15 years.
Economic viability, the pending issue
The debate takes a technical turn with PEACE-PLEASE. He explains that land is not developed because it is not viable: the investment required is greater than the return. Expropriation at fair value would be an option, but no public administration would want to lose money. This argument introduces a financial realism few had considered, and leaves the key question hanging: who pays for the party?
Is it possible to build more homes without a structural change in the financing and ownership model? The thread reaches no consensus, but makes it clear that planning chaos is just one piece of a far more complex puzzle. Easy solutions run up against the real economy.
Related debates on the forum
An industry study claims that the hold-up in building more than two million homes is not just down to planning chaos, but to the collapse of the property market. On Burbuja.info, the debate goes much further: some talk of artificial scarcity, of a lack of solvent demand and of the need to change the buying and selling system. The thread, sparked by an article in El Confidencial, dissects the real causes and the proposed solutions.
The study that demolishes the official narrative
The user Vlad_Empalador opens the thread with a provocative thesis: urban planning is not the main culprit. The study cited argues that the root cause is the collapse of the property market, and proposes returning to Spain's mandatory building laws. The community's response is immediate and sceptical. Benedicto Camela boils it down to a simple diagnosis: "In other words, they intend to solve the problems created by socialism with more socialism." For him, public intervention is the problem, not the solution.
Two opposing views: artificial scarcity vs. lack of demand
Vanderwilde and brus agree that there are plenty of homes, but they are being hoarded. "They've spent decades making it impossible," says the former; brus adds that not even 30 million new homes would change anything under the current buying, selling and hoarding system. On the other side, Pepita de sandia focuses on demand: "There's no solvent demand and there won't be financing for everyone like in the old days," and suggests building cheap houses without complying with planning rules and giving up tax revenue. Janus proposes a mixed recipe: build freely and reform mortgage culture, with payments not exceeding 30% of income and maximum terms of 15 years.
Economic viability, the pending issue
The debate takes a technical turn with PEACE-PLEASE. He explains that land is not developed because it is not viable: the investment required is greater than the return. Expropriation at fair value would be an option, but no public administration would want to lose money. This argument introduces a financial realism few had considered, and leaves the key question hanging: who pays for the party?
Is it possible to build more homes without a structural change in the financing and ownership model? The thread reaches no consensus, but makes it clear that planning chaos is just one piece of a far more complex puzzle. Easy solutions run up against the real economy.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (7 replies).
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