The project Cal Paler Nou, located in Cardedeu, continues to move forward steadily. It is a development of 36 cooperative homes on lease and 20% of the surface area is allocated to collective spaces, on a private plot that we acquired thanks to a participatory title campaign in 2018.

This initiative has also been strongly rooted in the territory: it has had the support of the Cardedeu City Council, social entities in the municipality and numerous partnerships with the cooperative movement. The project has been declared work of special municipal interest, has received aid from public administrations (such as the Generalitat and the State) and has been recognized as an example of social housing promotion for its ability to generate economic, ecological and community impact.

How are the works progressing? Cal Paler Nou?

After years of collective work, Construction work began at the end of 2023The move-in is scheduled for mid-2026, when the partners will convert the designed space into a true shared living project.

Currently, the project presents a 74% of work execution! In recent months, significant progress has been made in the cladding of the facade and roof, as well as in the assembly of exterior carpentry to complete the building envelope. Inside, the tiling and installations in the homes and common areas have been completed. Work has also been carried out on the underground sewage network on Camí de la Serreta Road, connecting it to the municipal network.

But beyond building housing, in the projects of Sostre Cívic We implement a radically participatory promotion and management model, which involves members in all phases of the process.

The group's participation in the promotion process

A Sostre Cívic we emphasize the comprehensive co-management of the project by the driving group and the technical team. From the initial stages, the participation of the group is essential:

• Project Definition: The group actively participates in the definition of the architectural, economic and coexistence project. This includes a participatory process for the definition of the project, workshops for the definition of the Basic Project, and the validation of both the Basic Project and the Executive Project.
• Economic Validation: The group participates in the validation of economic viability plans at different stages of the project, from the preliminary design to the end of the works. It also validates the budget for the work and agrees on the schedule of capital contributions.
• Construction Phase: During the construction phase, the group plays an active role through scheduled site visits that coincide with important milestones, such as the structure, the envelope or the finishes. The Driving Group participates in the construction company's contracting process and validates the award proposal, especially if the cost exceeds a threshold or affects structural parts of the building.
• Post-Work: Once the works are completed, the group's participation continues with the key handover ceremony, the group's knowledge and cohesion, governance and Internal Regulations, the management of internal and external communication, the definition of the vision and ideology, the entry and exit processes of members, the selection and award of homes, and the care and conflict management model.

And why do we opt for this participatory model?

The participatory model of Sostre Cívic provides a series of benefits that go far beyond access to housing. First, puts self-management and empowerment of members at the center, who not only inhabit the buildings, but also lead the entire process of promotion, decision-making and governance. This involvement fosters a collective co-responsibility that strengthens the cohesion of the group and favors a fairer management adapted to real needs. The stability offered by the right of use, added to the active participation, generates a strong rooting in the territory, consolidating ties with the environment and the local community.

At an environmental level, the capacity for collective decision-making allows us to commit to sustainability and energy efficiency criteria, with solutions that would often be unaffordable individually, such as water reuse systems or photovoltaic installations. All of this translates into more comfortable and efficient homes, with a lower ecological impact. In addition, collective ownership and co-housing facilitate the creation of shared spaces and dynamics of mutual support, which favor coexistence, adaptation to life changes and the reduction of day-to-day costs.

Finally, it is worth highlighting the structural economic savings that this model entails: avoiding the profit margins of private developers, opting for self-construction processes or “perfectible” finishes, and accessing public land, allows to significantly reduce the initial investment and guarantee more equitable access to housing.

Cal Paler Nou It is a living example of how cooperatives in the right of use can generate affordable, stable and transformative housing alternatives. A model that empowers, connects and builds community through the real participation of its protagonists.