The Rehabilitation Office of the Official College of Architects of Castilla-La Mancha (COACM) has presented the initiative ‘Local Citizen Rehabilitation Action’, a series of workshops designed to promote sustainable building rehabilitation through community participation. This effort is part of a national strategy supported by the Superior Council of the Colleges of Architects of Spain (CSCAE) and the State Confederation of Neighborhood Associations (CEAV), with the backing of the Spanish Association of Public Housing and Land Managers (AVS).
The workshops aim to improve the quality of life for residents by providing tools and knowledge about sustainability, accessibility, and energy efficiency. They also seek to foster dialogue between citizens and public administrations, as well as facilitate access to the Rehabilitation Offices of the Colleges of Architects. The proposal aspires to create a participatory culture where neighbors are involved in decisions regarding the improvement of their residential environment.
To date, two workshops have been held in the region: the first meeting took place on April 25 in the Santa María de Benquerencia neighborhood in Toledo, and the second on May 6 in El Balconcillo, Guadalajara. Upcoming workshops are scheduled for May 29 in Palomarejos and June 9 in Santa Bárbara, both in Toledo. Attendee feedback has been positive, highlighting the relevance of the topics discussed.
During the sessions, the importance of conducting a comprehensive diagnosis of the building before starting any renovations is emphasized. Topics such as thermal comfort, health at home, accessibility, and energy efficiency are addressed in an understandable manner for the neighbors.
José Luis Calvo, a resident of Santa María de Benquerencia, emphasized the need to better understand the building in which he lives. “It’s essential to know our environment just as we care for our cars,” he stated. Calvo also mentioned the economic benefits that proper rehabilitation can bring, as well as the availability of European funds that can assist in financing improvements.
Rafael Sánchez, an attendee at the Guadalajara workshop, valued the event as a key source of information for the rehabilitation of his home, expressing gratitude to COACM for organizing these meetings and clarifying his doubts.
In Spain, a large portion of housing was built before 1979, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity to implement improvements that promote sustainability and reduce inequalities. COACM calls on more municipalities and neighborhood associations to join this initiative, which promotes collective urban transformations for the benefit of the community and the built environment.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
