The Canary Islands are embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to develop their first industrialized public housing projects at affordable prices. These developments will take place in the municipalities of Ingenio and Santa Cruz de La Palma, as announced by Ana Zurita, the Director General of Industry for the regional government.
Since 2023, the Canary Islands government has been working on a strategic plan to transform the construction model by utilizing systems that manufacture housing components in industrial settings, thereby reducing construction times. Zurita emphasized that this approach could significantly improve access to housing by introducing new market offerings more swiftly.
As part of this strategy, incentives have been introduced for manufacturers producing industrialized construction products, and technical offices have been established in collaboration with provincial industry associations. The aim is to create a unique ecosystem that fosters innovation, digital transformation, and new construction methods.
The initial projects will feature two buildings of industrialized, affordable housing on public land, promoted by the Directorate General of Industry alongside the municipalities of Ingenio and Santa Cruz de La Palma. These projects will be put out to tender by the end of the month, with an expected completion time of around ten months, significantly shorter than traditional construction timelines.
While industrialized construction can streamline project timelines and enhance planning, industry experts caution that it does not necessarily lead to cost reductions. The insular nature of the Canary Islands continues to drive up material and construction process costs.
María de la Salud Gil, President of the Association of Builders and Developers of Las Palmas, highlighted the need for the islands to develop their own industry linked to this innovative construction method. She pointed out the necessity of addressing challenges such as the lack of specific regulatory frameworks, financing, and insurance.
One major issue is that financial institutions have yet to apply the same mechanisms as they do for traditional construction, as these systems are not fully recognized within the current mortgage framework. Additionally, efforts are underway to adapt regulations to ensure the Canary Islands remain a national leader in industrialized construction.
