Lleida's new Municipal Urban Planning Plan (POUM) received broad political backing on 24 April 2026, setting the stage for a city with more affordable housing, expanded services, and accessible green spaces. The plan, presented by Mayor Fèlix Larrosa and Deputy Mayor Begoña Iglesias, secured 19 favourable votes in the City Management Information Commission.
Mayor Larrosa praised Iglesias and her team for this “political success” and acknowledged the willingness of the Popular Party and Junts municipal groups to engage in dialogue and consensus. The initial approval document will be debated in the ordinary plenary session on 30 April, followed by a 45-day period for objections. The city council expects to provisionally approve the document by the end of this year.
To ensure public involvement, the city council will organise territorial and sectoral presentations across all neighbourhoods. Larrosa stated that “the Lleida of tomorrow is already here,” describing a city focused on its residents, with new facilities, improved services, public spaces, and green areas, enhancing cultural offerings and promoting a healthy urban environment.
Driving Urban Transformation
The new POUM incorporates urban transformation tools for all city neighbourhoods, enabling growth, resolving historical issues in areas like mobility and facilities, and regenerating specific zones. Larrosa highlighted key initiatives, including the new station district, the Health Park at Arnau de Vilanova, improved urban integration of Gardeny, and the expansion of the Scientific Park.
Other significant projects include a city-wide green belt, neighbourhood regeneration and sustainability improvements, solutions for flood risks, the Lleida sports city at Mangraners, and the expansion of the Camps Elisis and the new Lleida Trade Fair. According to the Mayor, the inclusion of the Torreblanca industrial estate, with its approved Master Plan, is expected to create 11,257 new jobs during the plan's validity.
This job growth has led to an increased demographic projection, with Lleida expected to reach 212,398 inhabitants by 2044 under a high-growth scenario. The maximum number of new homes planned has also risen to 34,185. Deputy Mayor Iglesias explained that the plan aims for 15% of the total housing stock to be affordable by 2044, representing approximately 9,840 homes. She emphasised that providing social and affordable housing is a major priority for the government and the new POUM.
Green Spaces and Facilities
Larrosa also pointed out the allocation of 515.7 hectares for green zones and 251.8 hectares for facilities, both exceeding recommended ratios. The POUM proposes developing the Station District as a connectivity tool between neighbourhoods, with new walkways over the railway tracks linking Pardinyes with Noguerola and the city centre. Plans also include a northern access to the station, a new Generalitat administrative building, and a 50,000 square metre commercial development.
In the Historic Centre, initiatives focus on the Comprehensive Plan for the Historic Centre, incorporating new landscape regulations, residential actions through expropriation, and promoting new attractions and facilities like the Principal Theatre and new uses for the old bus station. Noguerola is set to benefit from projects reducing flood risks, removing all city neighbourhoods from the Segre river's preferential flow. Residential development is also planned for the façade towards Príncep de Viana, with 88 homes.
Neighbourhood-Specific Projects
Pardinyes will see the urbanisation of a new promenade, thanks to the space freed up by the expropriation of industries on Ramon Argilés street. This will extend Josep Piñol square to the sports track. The Clot area and the Hospitals zone will benefit from a new railway stop at Onze de Setembre, following a train-tram logic using existing railway lines. This will also help other neighbourhoods, such as the western part of Balàfia and Vila Montcada, in addition to the new Health Park around Arnau de Vilanova hospital.
This area, along with other city expansion zones like Universitat, Zona Alta, and Escorxador, will gain green spaces through a project to incorporate green areas into inner courtyards. This involves creating 11.9 hectares of new green zones distributed across 88 inner courtyards in the Eixample areas, neighbourhoods currently lacking green spaces. Developers can choose to extend floor depth or add an extra floor in exchange for reducing ground floor occupancy and dedicating the freed space to private green areas.
Balàfia's residential urban fabric will be completed, both in the area between Valls d’Andorra and Marimunt avenue up to Laureà Figuerola street, and with large growth zones towards Secà and Ciutat Jardí. A large urban park is planned at the border with Secà, ensuring continuity of the residential urban fabric between the two neighbourhoods. Secà will also see the organisation of sports facilities to close off the neighbourhood to the north and a new road connection with Llívia and Gualda.
Ciutat Jardí-Vila Montcada includes plans for relocating the prison and replacing it with a residential zone. Mobility on Camí de Montcada will be reorganised, calming Arquitecte Gomà street and linking the new path with the A-14. Development of building spaces in Vila Montcada will also be promoted, filling gaps in the neighbourhood. In Camp d’Esports-Joc de la Bola, the space reserved for facilities next to the future library has been increased to ensure future uses.
La Mariola will undergo transformation driven by the Urban Improvement Plan across the entire Grup Mariola sector and will grow with the extension of the Onze de Setembre sector, west of Ferran el Catòlic. The Instituts-Sant Ignasi area is set for major transformation, with a new commercial zone at Alcalde Costa, connected by a new access to Gardeny from Plaça de l’Exèrcit. It will also benefit from new uses for the old station and the reorganisation of city access via Avinguda de l’Exèrcit. Residential and green zone growth is also planned for the Rufea area closest to the School Camp.
Llívia will benefit from the new connection with Secà and Gualda, and the POUM guarantees its residential growth, with a maximum of 700 new homes. Cappont is also one of the areas set for significant development.
