A new era for the south of Madrid
On Monday, the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, launched a proposal that could change the face of the south of the capital. At an event held in Puente de Vallecas, Almeida presented his Southern Strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at improving the quality of life in the most disadvantaged districts and rooting its inhabitants through initiatives focused on housing, employment, transport, and green spaces.
With 44% of Madrid's population residing in these neighbourhoods — which include Latina, Carabanchel, and Villaverde — Almeida emphasised the importance of putting the south “at the centre” of urban development. “We have not created this strategy from slogans or banners; we have done it from realistic and sensible policies,” he stated during his speech.
One of the fundamental pillars of the plan is the strengthening of public transport. Almeida highlighted that improving connections between these districts and the rest of the city is crucial for integrating new developments and reducing existing physical gaps. Neighbourhoods like El Cañaveral have demanded better links for years, something this plan promises to address urgently.
Regarding housing, the creation of 160,000 new homes on 5,600 hectares currently unused is anticipated. This initiative represents approximately 40% of the total planned for the entire region in the coming years. Almeida emphasised that this growth will not only meet housing needs but also position the southeast as a leader in residential development within Madrid.
It is not just about housing; Almeida also proposed revitalising industrial areas to prevent these neighbourhoods from becoming mere dormitory towns. The idea is to foster an environment where housing coexists with offices and shops. Clear examples are Vicálvaro and Villaverde, where plans are in place to transform former industrial sites such as Tubos Borondo and Santa Luisa.
The fourth axis of the plan focuses on environmental sustainability. A large green ring is projected to connect neighbourhoods with parks and local rivers, covering 1,000 hectares. This ring will include initiatives such as eco-ducts and ecological corridors aimed at reclaiming lost natural spaces.
All these measures are part of territorial investments that will exceed 1.284 billion euros between 2020 and 2026. With this ambitious project, Almeida hopes not only to physically transform the south of Madrid but also to significantly improve the quality of life for its inhabitants.
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