Friday, 14 August 2026Madrid 38°/ 24°Petrol

Breaking

Madrid positions itself as a European leader in public housing at the Cannes real estate fair

Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida presents Madrid's ambitious housing plans during his participation in Mipim.

Rodrigo PeláezRodrigo Peláez· · 2 min read

Mayor Almeida seeks to attract international investment

This Monday, the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, arrived in Cannes to participate in Mipim, the world's most relevant real estate fair. With the presence of 30 countries and 300 stands showcasing their urban achievements, Almeida has a clear objective: to position Madrid as the European capital building the most public housing.

During his stay at the fair, the mayor will present two flagship projects: Valdecarros and Madrid Nuevo Norte. Valdecarros stands out as the largest public housing development in Europe, covering 19 million square meters and housing over 51,000 homes, approximately 55% of which will have some form of public protection. This project has the capacity to accommodate around 150,000 residents, and the first phases are already underway.

On the other hand, Madrid Nuevo Norte plans to begin its urbanisation this year, covering 3.4 million square meters and offering 10,500 homes, with 20% allocated for public protection. This development will include extensive green areas and a new business centre in Chamartín.

Throughout the event, Almeida will meet with various European leaders to exchange ideas on housing strategies. Among them is the Irish Minister for Housing, James Browne, as well as mayors from cities such as Riga and Stockholm. These meetings aim to create synergies to address housing challenges in different cities.

The mayor will also advocate for Madrid as the primary destination for foreign investment in Spain and the second-best location for real estate investment in Europe. According to sources from the City Council, this position is the result of a policy focused on institutional stability and public-private collaboration.

Aside from the aforementioned projects, Deputy Mayor Inma Sanz has highlighted other urban initiatives taking shape in Madrid. The Campamento operation to the west and other developments in the southeast are part of the strategic plan aimed at transforming the city.
Sanz has urged the Ministry of Transport to advance with the Abroñigal project, which could be crucial for building new homes and necessary facilities.

Rodrigo Peláez

Written by

Rodrigo Peláez