Bellaterra, an affluent residential area known for its luxurious villas and proximity to Barcelona, is currently at the center of a municipal dispute that has put a significant housing project on hold. The conflict, involving the municipalities of Cerdanyola del Vallès and Sant Cugat, is preventing the construction of 150 apartments intended for young residents.
The Stalled Housing Initiative
The housing project, conceived and driven by a group of Bellaterra residents, aims to provide affordable housing for young people, with some units designated for social housing. These apartments, with an estimated price of 310,000 to 320,000 euros for a 90-square-meter unit, represent a considerable saving compared to current market prices in the area. The initiative involves a community of goods that acquired a 60,000-square-meter plot of land with the explicit goal of ensuring housing for their children and other young people who wish to remain in Bellaterra.
Josep Riart, an architect and one of the project’s initiators, explained, “We want to guarantee housing for our children and young people who want to stay here, instead of more elitist chalets being built.” The project’s affordability is attributed to the direct involvement of residents, minimizing intermediary costs. However, administrative approval is pending, leading to growing frustration among the community.
Administrative Hurdles and Municipal Tensions
Eulàlia Mimó, a councilor from Cerdanyola del Vallès City Council and head of urban planning, stated that a modification of the urban plan is necessary for the project to proceed. While such a modification might typically be swift, current circumstances are complicating the process. The core issue is the ongoing debate about whether Bellaterra should remain part of Cerdanyola or become a district of Sant Cugat.
Bellaterra, home to approximately 3,000 residents, is currently recognized as a decentralized municipal entity (EMD) but falls under Cerdanyola. Its strategic location acts as a hinge between Cerdanyola and Sant Cugat. The campaign to shift Bellaterra’s affiliation to Sant Cugat is spearheaded by a neighborhood platform, arguing that the highway and railway create a physical barrier with Cerdanyola, weakening the urban area’s connection to the municipality. Furthermore, the socio-demographic profile of Bellaterra’s residents is seen as more aligned with Sant Cugat, a municipality known for its higher average income and governed by Junts.
Cerdanyola’s mayor, Carlos Cordón, has accused Sant Cugat’s mayor, Josep Maria Vallès, of “disloyalty” regarding this matter. Sources from Cerdanyola City Council indicate that until the territorial dispute is resolved, they are reluctant to activate any urban plan modifications for a district that may soon belong to another municipality. “Potentially losing a neighborhood is no small matter,” they warned.
A Vision for Affordable Living
Architect Josep Riart, alongside fellow residents Joan Garcia and Paco Bernal, presented plans that demonstrate the project’s potential to significantly increase housing density. On a plot where typically 45 chalets would be built, their proposal envisions triple the number of homes in blocks of up to four stories. Crucially, 38 of these apartments would be reserved as social housing, priced at approximately 230,000 to 240,000 euros, as stipulated by law.
Marc Ventura, a 25-year-old aspiring resident, highlighted the urgency of the situation: “What young person can afford to stay in Bellaterra paying the prices of a chalet?” He warned that without affordable housing, the area faces either depopulation or becoming exclusively inhabited by “wealthy elderly people.”
Next Steps and Future Outlook
A meeting between Cerdanyola City Council and the community of goods driving the housing project is scheduled for April. This meeting is expected to address the administrative roadblocks and provide clarity on the project’s future. The Generalitat of Catalonia will ultimately have the final say on Bellaterra’s municipal affiliation, a decision that will undoubtedly influence the fate of the housing initiative.
The outcome of this dispute will not only determine the future of 150 much-needed apartments but also set a precedent for how such territorial conflicts are resolved in Catalonia, particularly in rapidly developing areas with high housing demand.
