Laia Bonet: "We cannot afford not to modify the 30% of subsidized housing."

Laia Bonet (Valls, 1972) is the first female deputy mayor of Barcelona City Council. She holds two of the city's most pressing issues: housing and urban planning.

— It's been two years of taking action. We've taken on many long-stuck plans and begun to unravel all these knots. And we've set a new pace for housing, both in terms of production and in changing the rules of the game.

What exactly has been done?

— Press for decisions where appropriate to intervene in unacceptable market dynamics. For example, the ban on tourist apartments, which must return 10,000 homes to the residential market, the rental cap, or now the regulation against seasonal rentals.

And what about construction?

— We've put urban planning and housing to work together. This has accelerated the production and transfer of land, allowing us to increase from 500 new public housing units per year to 1,000.

Is a dualism emerging in Barcelona, where new apartments are either public or luxury?

— There are a number of initiatives on the table at all administrative levels to ensure that the housing built is just right for living in. The problem we've had in recent years is that the promotion of new construction in the city has slowed. We need to expand not only public housing, but also private housing, affordable housing, and free housing.

Does the IMHAB have the capacity to manage the public fleet if it continues to grow at this rate?

— At the beginning of our term, we began a previously unfinished business regarding the management of public parks. This involves providing more resources to the IMHAB, but also working differently. The creation of neighborhood associations will help us manage everything much more efficiently. Before the summer, we will present a master plan for the management and maintenance of public parks.

One of the groups most affected by the housing crisis is young people.

— In Barcelona, we can't afford to give up on young people. Currently, in every housing development developed by IMHAB, 30% is reserved for young people. We need to increase this percentage.

Was it a mistake not to limit seasonal rentals when the housing law was revised?

— I don't know what the reality of the discussions was in this regard. What is clear is that, since the price cap, the housing supply has shifted significantly toward seasonal rentals. We need a swift response to address this fraud. This formula must exist, but it cannot serve those seeking permanent housing.

Are you afraid that the ban on tourist apartments will increase the black market?

— The 10,000 legal tourist apartments that exist today will no longer have valid licenses in 2028 and will be closed. That's why it's important to keep all the control and inspection mechanisms we already have well-oiled, because, obviously, we must be able to combat any fraudulent situations. We have increased inspection services and will have to adjust accordingly.

At the beginning of their term, they opened the door to modifying the PEUAT.

— It is not on the table in the coming months or during this term.

They haven't changed 30% yet. Is there a timeline?

— We're talking with various groups and hope to get it approved as soon as possible. Until we get this amendment implemented, private housing construction is practically at a standstill. We can't afford it.

Are you willing to move forward even with less consensus than in 2018?

— We can't afford not to change the 30%. We're trying to achieve the broadest possible consensus, but obviously, beyond the broadest possible consensus, there will be a need to change the 30%.

They propose that the 30% reservation should not be made in the same building or neighborhood.

— This possibility already exists in our current planning. The problem is that it requires the approval of an urban planning instrument, which takes a year to process and has not been done. The proposal on the table would allow the allocation of this 30% of the land within the same property, but also in other properties in the same or nearby neighborhoods much more quickly and without the need for this planning.

And as for major renovations, can they be excluded from the 30%?

— We have a very aging housing stock. Therefore, we need to be able to generate more housing supply, but also renovate. We must find a formula where one objective doesn't conflict with the other. What's on the table is maintaining the 30% when what's being done is preserving only the façade, but also, especially in cases where there's a major renovation linked to a vertical property.

He said he would reactivate the 30% fines after two years with the files archived.

— It's underway. Reports are being prepared.

Is it possible to solve the housing problem without improving transportation?

— We need to approach this from a metropolitan perspective. Everyone thinks about commuter trains, which aren't working as they should due to a lack of investment that is now being reversed. But today, every day, 250,000 people enter the city on commuter trains and 200,000 on intercity buses. That's why it's extremely important to have intermodal stations at the city entrances in the shortest possible time. We could move 400,000 people a day on intercity buses. If you add to this the improvement of commuter trains, the expansion of the metro, and the tram connection, we're talking about an increase in connecting mobility in the city of Barcelona for 650,000 people who currently have no easy access to the city. We need to work hard on connecting mobility solutions.

The TSJC has upheld the first ruling against the green axis of Consell de Cent.

— We are reviewing all the rulings that have been issued against the City Council. We defend the work done by the technicians. However, we do not agree with the initial plan for 21 axes in the Eixample because we believe the city cannot afford it. We need traffic calming measures to extend throughout the city, but they cannot be incompatible with public transportation and bus service.

Are too many projects being done at once?

— It's a city where there's historically been an average of 200 projects underway in parallel. We must make an effort to educate and explain why these projects are happening and what they're for. Some, like those on Line 8, will allow us to significantly improve mobility.

They promised to begin the process of connecting the tram during this term.

— The next ATM Board will be able to submit the executive project for approval. From then on, the bidding process can begin if the budget allocations from all parties are available.

Does this mandate hold the horizon of reaching an agreement on the steps of the Sagrada Família?

— This is what we want. We put a series of conditions on the table. We must ensure that as few homes as possible are affected, end the temporary nature of the project, and reach a consensus solution as soon as possible.

Do you still believe in ERC's entry into government?

— This is a decision they must make, and we must respect their timing. But beyond that option, which remains open, we have reached agreements in voting sessions with all groups.

But they haven't managed to secure a majority in any budget, nor in the Municipal Action Plan...

— This government continues to govern, and it does so by reaching agreements in every committee and in every plenary session.