The tragic floods in Valencia have brought to light a fact that is not anecdotal: the risk involved in housing in flood zones. Although what happened in Valencia was an extraordinary event, the permissiveness of urban planning in past decades has led to thousands of buildings being built in areas at risk of flooding.
It is important to point out that this reality is not unique to Spain. Here, the 2015 reform of the Land Law attempted to set certain limitations by establishing that flood zones must be classified as non-developable land. Only if the necessary measures are adopted to prevent the risk of flooding could they be classified as developable. But what happens to housing in flood zones that have already been built?
The proposal of technical architects regarding housing in a flood zone
The General Council of Technical Architecture of Spain (CGATE) has proposed something to give some security to buyers or tenants of housing in flood zones. It would involve the obligation to conduct a technical report on the properties that come onto the real estate market, whether for sale or rent.
This report would enable people interested in purchasing or renting a home in a flood zone to make an informed and conscious decision. In Spain, thousands of kilometres are at risk of flooding. The information is public and can be checked in the National System of Cartography of Flood Zones. However, we are not used to seeking this information.
Other measures proposed by technical architects
The CGATE also requests a review of the regulations for garages and basements in flood zones to adopt more demanding protection measures. The reason is that the measures proposed by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge for these areas, such as slopes or dikes, would not have served to avoid the damage caused by the force of the water in Valencian municipalities.
The list of demands is longer. On the one hand, they call for the supervision of buildings through technical inspections. On the other hand, emergency plans should be established where there is a concentration of housing in flood zones, and their inhabitants should be trained to act in case of need.
Technical architects also propose measures to deal with the reconstruction or rehabilitation of those homes affected by the floods that have not suffered irreparable damage. The recommendations include implementing waterproofing measures for the structures to avoid water damage and the installation of garage doors that can withstand higher pressure. Besides, they advise relocating electrical installations and boilers to elevated areas within the buildings.
The DANA of October 29 was an extraordinary event. However, it has created social alarm and raised the need to address the problem. Despite this, we must not forget that the vast majority of Spanish territory and the properties built are not affected by this circumstance. Indeed, the real estate stock remains safe and is a good investment opportunity.
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