Sant Cugat proposes Ca n'Ametller project to address housing crisis

In Sant Cugat, officials are advancing the Ca n'Ametller neighborhood project to combat rising housing costs and limited land availability. The development is expected to include approximately 5,500 new homes, of which 3,200 will be designated as official protection housing (60%). The city council aims to approve the initial planning by the end of 2026, though construction may not begin for another three to four years.

The project follows the ‘Sant Cugat model,’ focusing on low-rise buildings with a maximum of six floors, integrated green corridors, and essential public services. Urbanism Councilor Àngel Pedrós emphasized that green spaces will serve as the foundation for the planning process.

This initiative comes amid broader discussions regarding the housing emergency in Catalonia. Experts and local officials note that current public housing targets may be insufficient to meet demand. Proposed solutions to the crisis include better management of vacant urban land, industrializing construction processes, accelerating building permit timelines, and utilizing public-private partnerships to increase both rental and affordable ownership options.