Estudio de población y vivienda — Plan General Estructural de Alicante

The Estudio de población y vivienda — Plan General Estructural de Alicante is a comprehensive report prepared for the Ayuntamiento de Alicante in 2023. It was compiled by a multidisciplinary team from IDOM Consulting, including Andrea Villanueva Suay, Francesc Arechavala Roé, Emilio Puig Abad, Alejandro Cuñat Tolosa, Alejandra García Montolio and Javier Urrecho Torres. The study supports the city’s new structural urban plan, aiming to align future development with sustainable housing, demographic trends and socio‑economic realities.

The document integrates demographic, housing and socio‑economic analysis for the whole municipality of Alicante. It is organised into five analytical blocks: (1) historical population evolution, (2) population structure, (3) current population characteristics, (4) population linked to the city (students, tourists, temporary residents) and (5) projections for the next two decades. The housing component examines stock age, condition, occupancy rates, vacancy, tourism‑related dwellings and affordability.

• Total population in 2022: 330 886 (≈ 159 252 men, 171 144 women).
• Foreign‑born residents represent 14.97 % of the population (≈ 50 691 persons).
• Population growth has slowed: between 2011 and 2022 the cumulative increase was only 1.26 % (average annual growth 0.10 %).
• The most populous district is District 4 (≈ 79 553 inhabitants), while District 1 is the smallest (≈ 21 153).
• Age distribution shows the 45‑49 cohort as the largest, with a notable ageing trend: the 65‑69 age group accounts for 1 740 people in District 1.

• Alicante contains 187 658 dwellings.
• 72.4 % are primary residences, 8.4 % are vacant, and 3 153 are classified as tourist dwellings.
• Density varies sharply: districts 2 and 3 exhibit the highest population densities (221.86 and 183.29 hab/ha), whereas district 8 is sparsely populated (3.19 hab/ha).
• The housing market shows a clear spatial divide: higher‑value, newer apartments cluster in eastern districts (Cabo de las Huertas, Playa de San Juan, Vistahermosa), while older, lower‑income neighbourhoods (Ciudad Jardín, Colonia Requena, Virgen del Remedio) display lower educational attainment and lower average incomes.

• Median net personal income across Alicante is €11 676, with stark intra‑district disparities.
• District 1 enjoys the highest net income per capita (€17 409), while District 5 records the lowest (€8 775).
• The Gini coefficient indicates pronounced inequality, especially in districts 2 and 4 where affluent coastal areas coexist with low‑income inland neighbourhoods.

The study forecasts continued moderate growth, driven largely by foreign migration. Scenario modelling (2022‑2037) suggests that without targeted interventions, housing pressure will intensify in districts with limited land availability. Sustainable housing recommendations include:

• Prioritising renovation of the 8.4 % vacant stock to increase affordable supply.
• Enhancing energy‑efficiency retrofits in older districts to reduce carbon footprints.
• Promoting mixed‑use developments in high‑density zones to balance residential and commercial needs.
• Integrating green infrastructure and public transport links to support compact, low‑emission neighbourhoods.

Alicante’s experience mirrors broader European challenges: ageing populations, uneven income distribution, and rising demand for tourist accommodation. The detailed district‑level data provide a valuable benchmark for comparing urban sustainability strategies across EU cities. The report’s emphasis on data‑driven planning, equity‑focused housing policies and climate‑responsive retrofitting aligns with EU Green Deal objectives and offers actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners and housing NGOs seeking to foster resilient, inclusive and low‑carbon urban environments.