usatoday24
In Malaga a curious dichotomy is being given. The city has become a International Technological Pole and business successful model.
However, after that brilliant facade of innovation, a worrying reality is hidden: many qualified engineers and professionals cannot afford rent a house in the city. This technological boom is generating a housing crisis that is expelling the architects of Malaga progress.
Malaga Techpark: You can die of success. The Andalusian Technology Park (Málaga Techpark) or PTA, is an example of success that has put Malaga on the international technological map.
According to data provided by PTAin 2024, the park reached record figures with 27,940 jobs and a turnover of 4,181 million euros, which represents a growth of 21% compared to 2023. The arrival of renowned technology companies, such as Google, and the future IMEC installationa World Vanguard Microelectronics Research Center, consolidate Malaga as an innovation pole.
The housing problem. This technological expansion has attracted new talent from everywhere and Malaga has become an attractive place for entrepreneurs and startups. Despite economic growth and job creation, Malaga faces a serious housing problem.
Rental and purchase prices have shot in the capital of Malaga, according to data from the real estate portal IdealisticIn 2017, the price of housing in the city of Malaga was around 1,590 euros/m2, while currently 3301 euros/m2. Only for 2024, the price has increased by 21.4%, making a housing at a reasonable price It is difficult for many professionals.
Even well paid. As Felipe Romera, general director of the PTA, said in An interview For the local newspaper Malaga todayis also affecting professionals with good salaries, being a stumbling block to capture and retain this new talent that is reaching Malaga.
Expelled from Malaga. As in many other large cities in Spain, this real estate problem has led many of these workers to look for alternatives in surrounding towns to Malaga, increasing real estate pressure on these areas and generating mobility problems in the access roads to the new technological infrastructure.
Romera described this situation as a “city failure”, where economic success is expelling its own citizens. The lack of affordable housing threatens to undermine Malaga’s appeal as a technological center.
Telework and transport. Given this panorama, teleworking and the improvement of public transport are presented as possible solutions to relieve pressure on housing in Malaga. Teleworking allows professionals live in more affordable areas no need to move to the city daily. However, for this option to be viable, it is necessary to have a good Internet connection and quality services in peripheral areas.
Romera pointed out that the improvement of public transport was also a fundamental aspect to facilitate the mobility of technological workers who live outside Malaga to avoid the dependence of the car to go to the work center. These measures could contribute to reducing housing demand in Malaga and relaxing real estate pressure.
Malaga is not an isolated case. The problem of accommodation for its workers is not exclusive to Malaga. Other areas with strong economic growth, as IbizaThey are also experiencing similar housing crisis in which the price of housing is affecting talent collection. Although employment offers are attractive, high rental prices make Do not be profitable For employees.
The City of Malaga and the Junta de Andalucía are aware of the housing problem And they are taking measures to address it. Projects are being promoted Social Housing Construction and land are being reclassified to increase the offer. However, these projects take time to materialize due to the labor shortage that the sector already lives the complexity of administrative procedures.
Image | Unspash (Jonas Denil)
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