A recent report from Greenpeace slams Spain's approach to urban planning & construction both on the mainland and Mallorca. Despite Mallorca property development having been halted due a moratorium on new development during 2003 - 2005 Greenpeace maintain that the overall area of land taken up by new development, including road building and other public infrastructure projects, has been one of the highest in Spain when looked in relation to the Island's total area.
The report goes on to criticise a laisez faire planning system open to huge scale speculation, a political system rife with corruption, and a judiciary failing to implement legislation intended to stamp out the excesses and abuses of the development process.
Regular readers will be aware that at Novi Property Mallorca we have long advocated a sustainable approach to development in Mallorca (that being where we are based but a conviction equally held for mainland Spain) without taking a stance allied to any political party or group. It is essential whether one is looking at the "big picture" of global warming, or the plight of local level ecosystems that the needs of society generally, both today and in the future, are given an equal voice alongside the legitimate yet often narrow and short term objectives of individuals or corporate entities. A model of sustainable development is all about "win win" for everyone involved / all stakeholders - developer; buyer / future occupier / user of the development; wider society and all those that are effected by the development, be it directly or indirectly. The key is that the narrow objectives of one party, be it a developer, a campaigning environmental group, or anyone else, should not hold sway over those of others including the long term needs of society in it's widest context.
This is not always simple and in most cases we charge our public institutions - Town Halls, Autonomous Governments / Council's to act as arbiters on our behalf. If there is a failure in the integrity of those Institutions or the individuals exercising power within them, at best there will be mistrust and at worse abuse by individual stakeholders. Either way what follows is a collapse of the process and in effect any hope of a transparent and democratic sustainable development model.
The result is either uncontrolled development or, at the opposite extreme, paralysis of the system, which in many respects has as many damaging consequences. What Spain and Mallorca need is a thorough review of it's democratic institutions, how they operate, what conduct is expected of those holding office; the legislative framework required both nationally and regionally and, above all ,a much more robust approach to law enforcement at all levels. Then and only then can there be a debate concerning what level and type of development is needed and how it can be implemented. Mallorca, and Spain in general, needs new development, restructuring and regeneration but only a fully transparent approach, in which all stakeholders have confidence, will deliver the positive benefits that would surely arise.
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www.novipropertymallorca.com or contact David Novi MRICS on
david@novipropertymallorca.com
Novi Property Mallorca Opinion - Spain's Urban Planning Model 
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