Empty houses in Spain : an unsustainable social and territorial waste

Abstract

The dwelling, as a private space necessary to satisfy the basic right of the citizens to have decent and suitable accommodation, is the main configuring element of urban space and the prime consumer of territory. However, its relevance is focalised on its nature as a financial asset. According to the Population and Housing Census of 2001, there were 3.1 million empty dwellings in Spain . There are 1.5 dwellings per family unit; more dwellings than necessary are built; many of the already existing ones are not being used, and the difficulties of getting a home are increasing. To change this situation it is essential to obtain more data on the use made of dwellings. Inefficient use of residential space, contrary to the social function of property ownership, has to be linked to the persistence of the “housing problem” and, more importantly, to the need to change an unsustainable development planning model and inefficient housing policies.