Heat Problems Recognised in Key Housing Schemes
Barcelona's deputy mayor for Housing, Jordi Valls, has formally acknowledged serious overheating issues in public housing developments at Illa Glòries, Porta Trinitat and Illa F in Torre Baró. Speaking during the Housing Commission meeting on Tuesday 15 September 2026, Valls apologised directly to affected residents: "What I must do as a city council is apologise to the neighbours who have suffered this situation." The admission follows complaints from residents about indoor temperatures reaching 32°C and monthly cooling bills between €120 and €150. The ERC councillor Eva Baró highlighted these cases, stressing that adequate housing in extreme heat is no longer a future concern but a current public health issue.
Audits Ordered Amid Climate Challenges
Valls confirmed that energy audits have already been commissioned for all three developments, which feature newly built homes equipped with aerothermal systems. "Aerothermal technology theoretically works, but it has difficulties. It needs correct calibration, and users sometimes struggle to operate it," he explained. The council estimates up to 13,000 public homes across Barcelona suffer from varying thermal deficiencies, each with different construction periods, insulation levels and climate control setups. In response to an ERC proposal, Valls accepted the need for comprehensive energy audits across the municipal housing stock, though he noted implementation would be complex and likely carried out in phased batches. "We need to move forward with audits because this will be an important issue in the future, and because climate change is real," Valls said. The ERC motion also calls for a scheduled action plan to fix identified faults before next summer and for all new public housing projects to include verified thermal comfort protocols. Residents in Torre Baró have reported ongoing cooling problems since 2023, while flats in Sant Andreu have seen internal temperatures hit 33°C. The Síndic de Greuges (Ombudsman) previously criticised IMHAB, the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation, for an inadequate response. For official information on municipal housing standards and audit procedures, visit the IMHAB 2020 report.
Primary sources: bcnroc.ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by metropoliabierta.cat, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com.
