Asturias Minister Ovidio Zapico Defends Housing Policy While Launching HUCA Redevelopment Plans

The Asturias regional Ministry of Territory, Urbanism, Housing and Citizens' Rights, led by Ovidio Zapico, affirmed the legal soundness of its decision that labeled Gijón neighborhoods Cimavilla and La Arena as "tensioned housing markets." The municipality of Gijón has appealed the resolution to the Supreme Court of Asturias, seeking precautionary measures to block any price‑intervention actions triggered by the declaration. The ministry argued that the resolution was based on rigorous technical and legal criteria and complied with the housing rights law.

In a separate move, Zapico authorized the preparation of environmental and urban‑planning documents for the former Central University Hospital (HUCA) site in El Cristo‑Buenavista, Oviedo. After a court lifted a suspension that had halted the project, the regional government issued a five‑day deadline for the contracted firm Gesplan to start work. The planned special plan aims to allocate the 152,360‑square‑metre area for public services, residential zones and green spaces before the current legislative term ends.