A shanty town. That is how Cañada Real is often described. This 14.4-kilometer stretch is the largest illegal settlement in any European city.
Welcome to the Poblado Cañada Galiana. It is a place of contrasts and resilience. This area challenges perceptions of urban life in Madrid.
Imagine a place where high-end detached houses stand near pockets of extreme poverty. That is the reality of Cañada Real. Its story began in the 1950s and 1960s. People built homes along the Cañada Real Galiana. This was a traditional cattle road from La Rioja to Ciudad Real.
Over time, the settlement grew. It now extends through Coslada, Rivas-Vaciamadrid and Madrid. The Poblado Cañada Galiana is divided into six sectors. Each sector has its own characteristics. Sector 6 has a darker reputation. It is known as a “supermarket” for drug users.
As of 2017, around 7,283 people lived in the Cañada Real. The population is diverse. Many are Spanish Romani and migrants. Some come from Morocco.
Valdemingómez is a part of Cañada Real. Drug gangs control it. Violence is common. People come from all over Madrid to buy drugs here.
In June 2009, there was an important decision. Regional and central governments agreed this part of Cañada Real was not suitable for cattle. It became an illegally urbanized area. The responsibility for its administration then passed to the affected municipalities.
Coslada wants to legalize its section. It aims to provide services like other neighborhoods. Madrid is debating solutions. Some want to demolish homes. Others want to legalize those meeting certain conditions. Rivas-Vaciamadrid is firm. It wants to demolish all homes and create a green zone.
In 2017, an agreement was reached. The Community of Madrid and the affected municipalities made a pact. They would work together to resolve the situation in Cañada Real.
The story of Poblado Cañada Galiana is complex. It involves history, illegal settlements, and social challenges. It also shows the resilience and diversity of its inhabitants. It is a place that defies easy definitions.