The south of Madrid is about to unveil one of the most ambitious and greenest urban developments in the capital: Los Ahijones, a new neighborhood that will have a mini Madrid Río and a total surface area equivalent to almost 900 soccer fields. This project, located next to Los Berrocales -the other large neighborhood under construction- and at an advanced stage of execution, foresees the construction of 18,742 homes, of which more than half will have some type of public protection, which will attract a diverse population.
The main protagonist of the new neighborhood will be the linear park of the Los Ahijones stream, a green space that recovers and renaturalizes the old seasonal riverbed that used to cross the area. This linear park will run through the area from north to south with natural meanders, riverside vegetation, temporary ponds and the integration of the Vereda de las Estevillas livestock trail. The design seeks not only to preserve the natural environment, but also to create a space for leisure, sports and strolling for the neighbors, similar to the successful model of Madrid Río in the Manzanares.
A new neighborhood in the south of Madrid: Los Ahijones
In addition to the linear park, Los Ahijones will have more than 900,000 square meters of green areas divided into large and small parks, tree-lined avenues, gardens and squares, as well as a belt connecting it to the Metropolitan Forest. To promote sustainable mobility and neighborhood life, the development includes 60 kilometers of bicycle lanes and a network of pedestrian routes that will facilitate car-free travel and prevent the neighborhood from being perceived as an urban island.
The Los Ahijones urban planning model is based on a 15-minute city, prioritizing services, stores, schools and workplaces in close proximity, which will allow residents to meet their daily needs without long commutes. The first phase, already underway, calls for the construction of 1,622 homes by 2025, with the first residents expected in early 2027.