Isolated by railroads and highways San Cristóbal stands. This Madrid neighborhood holds stories within its streets. San Cristóbal is more than just a location. It is a testament to community and resilience.
San Cristóbal de los Ángeles is one of the five boroughs that make up the Madrid district of Villaverde. Its most important feature has been for years physical isolation. From north to south the neighborhood is constrained by the Dehesa Boyal park and military barracks. From east to west it is bordered by the railway line Madrid-Andalucía and Andalucía NV road. This isolation affects both the identity and behavior of the neighborhood.
Between 1957 and 1967 San Cristóbal began to settle expropriations neighbors from the center of Madrid. They were employees of companies such as EMT and RENFE. According rectification Registration Office 2007 the district had a population of 16595 inhabitants. 58.84% were nationals and 41.13% were foreign nationals from more than forty countries. Housing was the main problem. Neighbors protested to the different administrations.
Between 1969 and 1983 there were many complaints from neighbors regarding structural deficiencies. This forced consolidation undertake works more than 50 buildings and rehabilitation in them. The tenure was always deferred property at the time from the neighbors to be right owners in the 90s. As a result of these protests the Madrid City Council in accordance with the Community of Madrid and the Ministry of Development proposed statement rea Preferential Rehabilitation for San Cristobal de los Angeles.
This proposal was accepted in 1999. It directs the Municipal Housing Company to play the role of Management Body in processing subsidies. These subsidies are entitled to receive, sunk, owners of homes in the neighborhood. Similarly urbanization and infrastructure renewal of all the neighborhood are eligible. This includes street furniture, paving, lighting, and power supplies.
In 2000 the EMVS opens the Office of Rehabilitation in the neighborhood. Its main objective to spread to neighboring benefits that can be achieved in the rehabilitation of buildings. This helps to consolidate themselves and improve their homes. It provides buildings basic facilities that lack thus improving not only the habitability, comfort and accessibility, but also the image of the neighborhood and all with a substantial subsidies, which have been increasing over the years.
Initially the work done by the Office of Rehabilitation and ARI was met with suspicion and distrust by neighbors. They did not trust the security they can offer rehabilitation works. However over the years this view has been minimized. Now the rehabilitation of homes and buildings begin to live as a positive opportunity to be seized.
The scope of intervention of San Cristobal de los Angeles affects 42 acres 166 buildings with 5862 apartments. The economic investment amounts to €64372265.40. An investment in rehabilitation and restructuring of €38849860.88 was executed. This represents 60.35 percent of the total investment.
San Cristobal is home to the Puente de Colores open-air social centre. It was built from 2012–2014. This was a community urban renewal project. Also Real Madrid legend Raul was born in this neighborhood.
The San Cristóbal Market opened in 1974. It quickly became a focal point within the neighborhood. It is a unique building with wide visibility from the street of Conde de Torralba. The market is an architectural project led by Secundino Zuazo. He specialized in building high-quality architecture with limited means. Zuazo managed to give the buildings personality through arches and the use of brick.
San Cristobal stands as a testament to urban revitalization. It embodies community spirit. It is a place where history and hope intertwine.