The president of the La Jota and Avenida de Cataluña Neighborhood Association, Juan Antonio Andrés Pinilla, explained that the mobilization reflects mounting discontent over urban expansion and the lack of information about the projects being developed. Residents complain that constant changes in land use are creating uncertainty about the neighborhood’s future and about whether their children will be able to continue living there. "We do not want electoral promises; we want action," summarizes the protest poster, which calls for quality public services and urban development that takes into account the needs of those who already live in the area.
During the appearance, Ranera denounced that Zaragoza City Council had sold municipal public land around La Jota and Avenida de Cataluña which, she said, was intended for affordable public housing but will now be used for luxury private homes. The Socialist spokesperson called on Mayor Natalia Chueca to defend access to housing and demand that the Aragonese government apply the Housing Law and declare pressure zones in order to attract state funding. Residents, for their part, cite the lack of information about planning and access to housing among the concerns behind the demonstration.
CLEANLINESS, FACILITIES AND TRANSPORT AMONG THE MAIN DEMANDS
One of the main causes of complaint is the condition of the streets. Residents say they have spent three years dealing with fences, sidewalks occupied by machinery and construction materials, dirt and difficulties moving around normally. The association also points to the proliferation of rats and pigeons, and is calling for cleaning and maintenance measures, as well as the removal of the barriers and the restoration of areas affected by the works.
The list of demands includes improving firefighters’ access to certain areas, expanding swimming pools, maintaining trees and gardens, and installing climate control in schools and secondary schools. Residents are also calling for new public parking spaces, progress on the third phase of Avenida de Cataluña and more frequent bus services to Villanueva de Gállego, with buses every 15 or 20 minutes. In addition, they are demanding information about urban development projects and answers to the questions and proposals they submit to the city council.
Under the slogan "For a decent neighborhood," the association is urging residents to take part in Sunday’s march to turn accumulated discontent into a collective demand. "We are from Zaragoza and, besides investing in grandiose projects, Chueca must also invest in the neighborhoods, keep them clean and provide them with public services," Andrés Pinilla said.
