Madrid mayor unblocks Campamento development, adding 10,700 homes to city's southwest
José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the mayor of Madrid, used his last State of the City debate before the 2027 elections to announce the definitive unblocking of Operación Campamento, a sprawling urban development that will bring 10,700 homes to the city’s southwest, after decades of bureaucratic deadlock.
Debate marks final push before 2027 elections
Almeida delivered his last State of the City address before municipal elections in 2027, making a series of announcements aimed at showing his government’s record on housing, urban planning, and public services. The debate, held at the Palacio de Cibeles, focused heavily on the vivienda crisis, which polls show is the top concern for madrileños.
Campamento finally moves forward
The centerpiece of the day was the unblocking of Operación Campamento, a large urban regeneration project on the site of former military barracks in the southwest of Madrid. The project covers 2.1 million square meters and will include 10,700 homes, of which 65%, 7,000, will have some form of public protection (3,800 VPPL, 2,100 VPPB, and 1,100 rental).
The Junta de Gobierno will approve the urbanization project on Thursday, July 2, clearing the way for the state entity Casa 47 to begin building streets and parks with a budget of 383 million euros. The demolition of 37 barracks buildings is already 98% complete, with the housing minister Isabel Rodríguez reporting that the work will finish three months ahead of schedule.Without the Madrid City Council, there is no Operación Campamento.
They are 98% complete.
New rental-to-buy scheme and tighter access rules
Almeida also announced 1,500 new public rental homes with an option to purchase after seven years, offered through the municipal housing company EMVS.
The city will tighten eligibility: applicants must have five years of padrón (registration) in Madrid, and squatters will be banned from public housing. The income limit for these homes will be set at 7.5 times the IPREM.Families deserve a horizon of stability, and that comes from being owners.
Other urban measures and announcements
The mayor outlined a new municipal strategic plan (PEM) to replace the 1997 planning framework, reducing land use categories from four to three: residential, dotacional (public facilities), and productive. He also mentioned progress on Madrid Nuevo Norte, with the first urbanization project in Las Tablas Oeste set to build 741 homes. Beyond housing, Almeida announced a pact with restaurant associations to improve street cleanliness, two new parks named after Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, the reopening of El Capricho park in September, and the handover of Serrería Belga to the Fundación Pérez Simón on July 6.
- VPPL (precio limitado)
- 3800 homes
- VPPB (básica)
- 2100 homes
- Alquiler (rental)
- 1100 homes
- Vivienda libre (free market)
- 3700 homes
- Housing minister reports demolition 98% complete, three months ahead of schedule
- Mayor Almeida announces Junta de Gobierno will approve urbanization project on July 2
- Junta de Gobierno approves Campamento urbanization project
