Andalucía’s Forward-Looking Urban Planning and Sustainability
In a transformative move for Andalucía's urban landscape, the regional government has introduced law 7/2021, known as the LISTA (Ley de Impulso para la Sostenibilidad del Territorio de Andalucía), groundbreaking legislation that marks a significant shift in the region's approach to urban planning and sustainability.
The law not only helps with the regularisation of previously unauthorised buildings but also addresses the modern challenges of tourism-driven urban development, striking a delicate balance between preserving local communities and fostering economic growth through tourism.
Under the previous legal framework, many property owners in Andalucía faced legal uncertainties. Buildings constructed irregularly, often nestled in the region's picturesque landscapes, were left in limbo, unable to access essential services or achieve official recognition in the property registry.
The LISTA law offers a lifeline to these properties, allowing for their regularisation and official acknowledgement, provided they meet certain criteria. This is particularly pertinent for buildings completed before key dates on both non-developable and urban or developable land, where previous deadlines for restoring urban legality had lapsed.
The regularisation process under LISTA is meticulous, requiring property owners to compile essential documentation, including a final work certificate or a certificate of antiquity, proof of property ownership, and the payment of municipal fees. This initiative not only enables these buildings to be officially recognised but also opens the door to essential services, aligning them with legally constructed properties in terms of urban treatment. While it is complex, it is a step forward that many homeowners have been waiting to hear for a long time.
Tourism Impact
Beyond the regularisation of buildings, the LISTA law introduces innovative measures to manage the impact of tourism on urban spaces. Recognising the challenges posed by the rapid growth of short-term tourist rentals, such as residential displacement and the transformation of neighbourhoods, the legislation empowers local municipalities to limit the number of tourist apartments. This measure aims to ensure that tourism development does not undermine the quality of life for residents, addressing the rising concerns over housing availability and community dispersal in popular tourist destinations.
The LISTA law represents a holistic approach to urban planning in Andalucía, acknowledging the intricate relationship between urban development, housing, and tourism. By facilitating the integration of irregular buildings into the legal and urban planning framework and introducing measures to control the proliferation of tourist apartments, the legislation underscores Andalucía's commitment to creating a sustainable, inclusive, and balanced urban environment.
This approach not only benefits property owners but also enhances the broader community by ensuring that all buildings meet safety and habitability standards, and by preserving the social and urban character of Andalucían communities.
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