A Fight for Public Space
The Regional Federation of Neighbourhood Associations of Madrid (Fravm) has decided to take its discontent to court, filing a contentious-administrative appeal against the new terrace ordinance approved by the City Council in November 2025. Residents argue that this regulation not only favours hospitality businesses but also infringes fundamental rights related to mobility and rest.
Jorge Nacarino, president of the Fravm, has expressed concern over how residents' claims have been ignored during the approval process. "We are here because we believe that essential citizens' rights are being violated," Nacarino stated, hoping that the High Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) will consider their arguments and annul or modify key aspects of the document.
Among the main concerns raised by residents is the lack of consideration for people with reduced mobility. Carmen Bonet, spokesperson for the Commission on Functional Diversity and Accessibility, shared her daily experience facing obstacles on the sidewalks: "I am blind and it affects the way I walk down the street," she explained. The inadequate accumulation of furniture in public spaces makes safe movement difficult.
Pilar Rodríguez, another prominent voice within the residents' group, emphasised that many terraces occupy more than 50% of the available space on the sidewalks, which is illegal. "It is evident that there is an excessive use of public space that harms all pedestrians," Rodríguez denounced.
Lawyer Raúl Maíllo recalled a previous case in Elche where the Supreme Court annulled similar parts of a terrace ordinance due to its negative impact on blind people. This precedent offers hope to Madrid residents in their quest for fairer and more equitable regulation.
Alarming Data: Currently, Madrid has over 6,472 authorised terraces, which equates to more than 204,000 chairs and 63,830 tables occupying sidewalks, according to official figures provided by Pilar Rodríguez. This situation raises serious questions about how these public spaces are managed and whether the right to rest for all citizens is truly being guaranteed. On the other hand, Deputy Mayor Inma Sanz defended the new ordinance as a balance between ensuring residents' rest and promoting vital economic activity for the city. According to Sanz, all claims were adequately addressed during the legislative process; however, she acknowledged that there was a “denialist” stance among some residents' groups regarding the terraces.
As this legal conflict progresses, it is clear that both residents and the City Council have firm positions on how public space in Madrid should be managed. The resolution of the TSJM could set an important precedent not only for this city but also for other localities facing similar challenges related to the coexistence of commercial activities and citizens' rights.
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