Invest ecologically, sustainably and profitably with solid wood
The Balearic Islands, and Palma de Mallorca in particular, are facing a major challenge: the acute housing shortage. Rising rents, limited building plots and a high demand for affordable housing make innovative solutions necessary. One promising option is to add storeys to buildings using solid wood elements. This method combines sustainability, efficiency and urban adaptability - and could be a key to alleviating the housing crisis.
Affordable housing and housing shortage
The housing shortage on the Balearic Islands is a pressing problem. Many residents and young families can no longer afford the high rents in Palma de Mallorca. Adding storeys to buildings with solid wood elements offers a practical solution for creating new living space quickly and cost-effectively. This is now possible in Palma thanks to the allocation of extension projects to the VPL program (Vivienda de Protección Pública).
Why solid wood elements?
Solid wood is not only a renewable raw material, it is also light, stable and quick to process. Compared to conventional building materials such as concrete or steel, it significantly reduces the carbon footprint and enables fast and clean construction. In the Balearic Islands, where traditional architecture and narrow streets often make the construction of new buildings difficult, building with solid wood elements offers the perfect solution for adding storeys. Solid wood elements are lighter than brick and concrete and therefore have an unbeatable advantage for structural planning and statics.
Advantages for homeowners
For homeowners in Palma de Mallorca, adding a storey with solid wood is an attractive investment:
- More living space without additional land: vertical extensions allow existing buildings to be used efficiently.
- Cost efficiency: Solid wood is often cheaper than traditional building materials and construction time is shorter.
- Increase in value: Additional living space significantly increases the value of the property.
- Flexibility: Adaptation to urban planning requirements, such as increasing maximum heights in areas with height differences, is simplified.
Advantages for tenants
Tenants benefit from the creation of affordable housing:
- More supply: new apartments are created by adding storeys, reducing pressure on the housing market.
- Sustainable living: Solid wood buildings provide a healthy indoor climate and are energy efficient.
- Local integration: The new apartments can be integrated into existing neighborhoods without disrupting the cityscape.
Advantages for the municipality
For the city of Palma de Mallorca and the Balearic government, adding storeys with solid wood offers numerous advantages:
- Affordable housing: by promoting the addition of storeys, the municipality can drive forward the creation of publicly subsidized housing (VPL).
- Sustainable urban development: Solid wood reduces the ecological footprint and supports the climate goals of the Balearic Islands.
- Flexible urban adaptation: The adaptation of height limits and the conversion of existing areas will be facilitated, as provided for in Law 12/2017.
- Economic stimulus: The construction projects create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
A look into the future
Adding storeys with solid wood is not only a technical solution, but also an urban planning concept that combines the needs of homeowners, tenants and the local authority. In the Balearic Islands, where space is limited and demand is high, this method could become an important building block for sustainable and socially just urban development.
Palma de Mallorca has the potential to lead the way in the fight against the housing shortage with innovative solutions such as solid wood additions. It is time to take advantage of the opportunities offered by modern timber construction technologies and flexible urban planning conditions.
What do you think? Could adding floors with solid wood be the answer to the housing crisis in Palma de Mallorca? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Sources: Law 12/2017 on urban planning in the Balearic Islands, current developments in housing construction and law of April 16, 2024 based on a decree of October 2023 which aims to create affordable housing without additional land consumption.
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