Andorra Faces Urban Space Crunch and Retail Decline, Warns Commentator

Helena Anillo, a regular commentator for Altaveu, has highlighted growing pressures on Andorra's urban development and retail sectors in recent columns.

In a piece published on 19 February 2026, Anillo pointed to the scale of authorised new construction since 2019, which has exceeded 1.5 million square metres. She suggested that such rapid expansion may soon exhaust available space, quipping that builders might need to "explore parallel dimensions" to find room for more projects. The column, tagged under urban planning, underscores ongoing debates about land use amid related legislative moves, such as a forthcoming soil law that would affirm the administration's right of first refusal on land and property purchases.

The following day, on 20 February 2026, Anillo turned to economic challenges facing small businesses. Citing a 2% drop in real sales at large retail outlets in December, she urged reflection on the likely plight of smaller shops, which face even steeper headwinds. Her commentary, focused on commerce and the economy, comes amid broader concerns including aid packages for businesses in Pas de la Casa, where entrepreneurs warn that measures like electricity discounts and €200 transport vouchers may fall short without employment regulation plans or rent reductions.

These vignettes capture mounting strains in Andorra's built environment and local trade, as construction booms while retail grapples with declining demand.