Modifications to the 1977 General Urban Development Plan of the Community of Madrid
The city of Madrid changes and becomes greener and more sustainable. Influenced by the normal evolution of the city and driven by the latest changes in living patterns after the health crisis, the valuation of open spaces, the sustainability of buildings, e-commerce and the change of values and priorities in the population, it is necessary and inevitable to adapt the city to the new requirements.
From 17 August 2021, a public information period on the modifications that are being made in Urban Planning in the Community of Madrid will be opened, which will end on 16 November 2021.
Here you can see the compendium of regulations
These modifications are considered to be the most important since the approval of these regulations in 1997.
A large number of measures have been established, which we will comment on below:
1.- New ways of living, new residential models are included, through the categories of co-living and co-housing, and a minimum housing programme is incorporated.
Co-living is considered to be a housing modality that has several independent accommodation units (bedroom and bathroom), with the rest of the rooms in the residential premises being shared, such as kitchen, laundry, work and leisure areas.
This type of rental is managed by a development entity and is differentiated from the traditional type of community residence.
In reference to co-housing, its composition is based on private housing with a high number of common services and larger common areas. It is included in the category of housing and is managed by the co-owners.
2.- New requirements are established for the change of use of premises to housing,
For example, external lift towers and additional fire protection staircases are not counted as buildability).
You can review the procedure here
3.- It is possible to carry out different activities in the same premises.
4.- The capacity of the premises is updated according to the single building code.
5.- In reference to the tourist use dwellings, their installation is allowed on the first and ground floor as long as there are no lower floors, and its regulation is simplified and clarified throughout the community.
Here you can compare the existing regulations for tourist dwellings.
6.- The city is divided into different parking areas.
7.- The use of the facilities is simplified.
8.- The recovery of the courtyards of blocks is encouraged.
Defined in the Building Conditions Plan of the APE.00.01 “Historic Centre”, alternatives are provided for the use of these courtyards to activate the economy.
The use and activity of these courtyards is made more flexible, and the updating, improvement and environmental and bioclimatic treatment of the existing buildings in them is promoted.
9.- The projects of degraded areas are improved, even if they are protected.
Conference held at the Forum of Real Estate Economists yesterday.
10.- New categories of industrial use are established, such as grouped kitchens, storage with home delivery and logistical storage.
In the category of conventional industry, it regulates what is not included in the previous categories and agricultural production activities that are carried out in warehouses or buildings.
It is encouraged that grouped kitchens and storage with home delivery be located outside residential areas and in industrial estates, for which if any of these categories are located in a residential area, their surface area is limited to a maximum of 350m2, a mobility study is required and they must have areas for loading/unloading and temporary storage for transporters.
Likewise, the granting of new licences for these activities is suspended until 17 August 2022.
11.- In large shopping centres, no lucrative, commercial or leisure areas may be installed in the accessory zones that do not count as buildable areas, unless expressly determined in the PGOU.
12.- The vacant categories of facilities are modified so that they can be adapted to the needs of the city.
13.- “The green factor” is created, which rewards the most sustainable and efficient buildings by granting them a larger surface area.
This means, for example:
– The following will not be counted in the buildability: energy efficient elements or places enabled for sustainable mobility vehicles.
– There is no minimum percentage of landscaping, and solar panels can be installed in free private areas.
– Landscaped roofs and façades will be taken in reference to the green factor.
14.- Terraces, installation rooms on the ground floor and storage rooms on the ground floor will not be counted as buildable, with the aim of leaving the terraces open for other uses.
15.- The so-called “basic licence” is created.
Based on an urban planning viability report, it will examine the information presented by the applicant within a period of one month, and from the moment it is granted, the works can begin, following the verification of the rest of the requirements of the building permit, as the works are being carried out.
For more information on the licences, click here.
16.- The provisions of the regulations concerning historical heritage are simplified and clarified.
The works on these buildings will be carried out taking into account the specific building, applying more modern techniques and allowing the creation of contemporary style annexes to them.
Heritage is regulated according to the different elements of which it is composed:
- Natural areas, including: areas of high ecological and landscape value, geological protection areas and
- archaeological and palaeontological protection areas.
- buildings
- special architectural elements
- historic parks
- gardens of interest and unique trees
- road spaces
- historic cemeteries.
Building will be regulated at the following levels:
- building grouped in urban centres, consisting of the “Historic Centre” and the “Historic Centres of Peripheral Districts”,
- building grouped in homogeneous groups, consisting of “Historic Colonies” and “High-rise Blocks”.
- scattered buildings. As instruments for the protection of these buildings, it regulates the Catalogues of Protected Buildings and the Specific Planning Areas.
For individualised protection, a distinction will be made between Commercial Establishments, Public Monuments and Singular Urban Elements, Parks and Gardens of Interest, Singular Trees, Historic Cemeteries and Public Spaces.
17.- The Study of Repercussion of Implantation by Uses (ERIU) is created.
Let us hope that all these measures will lead to an improvement in the quality of life of the citizens of Madrid, an activation of the city’s economy and a much more sustainable and efficient city.
