Andorra la VellaThe Association of Andorran Land Owners (APTA) believes that the Principality “must have its own vision of urban planning”, since even though housing is a widespread problem everywhere, “we cannot mirror ourselves in the solutions implemented by other localities”, given that the impact of having to travel outside its borders to find a home for the citizens of Andorra, “has very important connotations for its inhabitants”.
Through a statement made public this Thursday, the entity recalls that only 5% of undeveloped land remains in the hands of private property (about 25 square kilometers), “which obviously cannot be wasted due to lack of good planning.” For this reason, they affirm, “it is crucial to know which country we want and what type of companies we want to bring in”, since, in their opinion, they should be companies “that provide high added value and that do not require excessive labor “.
At the same time, from the APTA it is pointed out that “our administrations must find the balance between doing everything possible so that the inhabitants of the country can live within our borders and avoid an interventionism that seriously damages the rental market “. It is important, therefore, that the citizen “can freely choose the place to reside, which is determined by the criteria of the market offer”.
On the other hand, they also point out their discomfort with “the mistake” of basing a housing policy that refers its parameters to a rental price of 8 euros per square meter throughout the territory, “without taking into account the great differences in location, construction materials or year of age of the home”. For all these issues, and also for the great “concern generated in these uncertain times by the evolutions of the POUPS”, they claim that they feel “damaged and dispossessed, both in terms of value and rights”.
However, they conclude by recalling that the national assembly of the APTA last April 16 proceeded to provide the association with the advice of legal professionals, “to strengthen and defend our position, making sure to preserve the right to private property as stated in the Constitution”. However, the entity offers an extended hand to the administrations “to find the best solutions for our country” and asks to participate actively in the search for solutions “as valid interlocutors”.
