Madrid has just launched one of its most ambitious urban developments: Los Cerros, in the southeast of the city—a new neighborhood designed to also serve as a large green space in the eastern part of the capital. With a total area of 4.7 million square meters, of which 1.7 million are reserved for public green spaces, this area will be larger than El Retiro Park and marks a shift in scale in how nature and housing are integrated into Madrid’s urban planning. The recent municipal authorization to simultaneously carry out both infrastructure development and construction work in Phase 1 effectively gives the green light for the new neighborhood to get off the ground.
Los Cerros is located in the Vicálvaro district, between Coslada, San Fernando de Henares, and El Cañaveral, in an area that until now served as an urban fringe and is set to drive the city’s expansion to the southeast. The development will feature some 170 hectares of natural spaces and parks, making it the area with the largest expanse of public green spaces in Madrid. According to data from the City Council and the developers, plans call for planting more than 7,000 trees and 100,000 shrubs, as well as the reforestation of 2,500 existing trees, thereby strengthening the connection with the future Metropolitan Forest and the capital’s green belt.
Thousands of homes, half of which are affordable
Alongside this major commitment to green space, Los Cerros has been designed to provide a significant amount of affordable housing in Madrid. The project includes 14,276 housing units, of which approximately 50% will be subject to some form of housing protection, ranging from public housing developments to subsidized housing programs in collaboration with the private sector. More than 2,000 of these homes will be built directly by the Madrid City Council, as detailed by Deputy Mayor Inma Sanz, thereby expanding the supply for young people and families seeking more affordable housing.
The scale of the development is accompanied by a significant commercial and service sector: more than 550,000 m² of land designated for economic activities and facilities, which will provide the neighborhood with retail, offices, education, and healthcare without relying exclusively on other districts. The goal is for Los Cerros to be more than just a bedroom community, but the process of truly achieving this neighborhood cohesion will take years, if not decades. It is expected to create 15,000 direct and indirect jobs during the various phases of construction.
Green light for simultaneous construction
The City Council’s recent decision to authorize the simultaneous execution of infrastructure development and building construction in Phase 1 of Los Cerros is a key milestone in the project’s timeline. Until now, infrastructure development work had been proceeding independently, but this measure will allow building construction to begin in parallel with the development of streets, utility networks, and open spaces, accelerating the delivery schedule for the first homes.
Developers estimate that, if the current pace is maintained and administrative procedures are finalized, the first keys could be handed over before the end of 2026, with the remaining phases rolling out progressively until full occupancy is reached toward the end of the decade. This phased approach aims to avoid the classic void found in large developments—where homes are delivered before the surrounding area is fully developed—and to ensure a minimum level of services and green spaces for the first residents.
