Spain proposes new flood zone regulations for urban planning

A proposed royal decree from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition will require municipalities to align their urban planning with official flood zone maps. Under the new regulations, local councils will have a five-year window to update their urban development plans to reflect these maps.

Failure to comply will result in the Hydrographic Confederation issuing unfavorable reports on any new development projects within those plans. This measure is expected to have a significant impact on urban planning, particularly in regions where official cartography identifies significant flood risks in major urban centers and various municipalities.