A forgotten neighbourhood seeks its resurgence
Colonia Membezar, an emblematic neighbourhood in Puente de Vallecas, is about to undergo a significant transformation after more than six decades without intervention. This project, part of the ambitious Regenera Plan from the Madrid City Council, aims to revitalise an area that has been mired in neglect and legal uncertainty.
The delegate for Housing, Álvaro González, along with councillor Ángel Niño, have toured the streets of the neighbourhood to assess urgent needs. “Our goal is to turn these spaces into livable places,” González stated. The intervention will not only focus on improving sidewalks and green areas but also on regularising the lands that are currently not classified as public.
With 3,149 inhabitants and 1,283 homes, Colonia Membezar represents a unit of urban regeneration that has been declared a Zone of Special Urban Transformation (ZETU). This implies that urgent investment is required to rehabilitate both the buildings and the public space.
Residents have expressed their frustration over persistent issues such as flooding during heavy rains, narrow sidewalks, and streets primarily used for parking due to the lack of available spaces. Conchi, a long-time resident of the neighbourhood, recounted how water has entered her home during heavy storms.
Approximately 91% of inter-block spaces are not officially registered, which further complicates any attempts at improvement. The plan includes hard work to regularise these lands before expected construction can begin in about a year and a half.
The history of the neighbourhood is rich; popularly known as ‘las domingueras’, its first inhabitants contributed their carpentry and masonry skills to build their homes over the weekends. However, José Escudero, another veteran resident, recalls better times when children could play freely in the streets without worrying about vehicular traffic.
Future reforms will include universal accessibility criteria, as well as environmental improvements aimed at greening existing areas. Despite the widespread desire for significant changes, the municipal commitment ensures that parking spaces for current residents will not be removed.
The Regenera Plan prioritises interventions in districts considered vulnerable from a socioeconomic standpoint. In this first phase, actions have been scheduled in 14 districts, already completed in Vinateros (Moratalaz) and started in other neighbourhoods such as Villaverde and Carabanchel. Attention to Puente de Vallecas is crucial to reduce urban inequalities and move towards a more accessible and safer community.
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