Andorra Land Law Reform Commission Proceeds Without Key Carrying Capacity Studies

The commission tasked with reforming Andorra's Land Law continues its work without access to the requested parish-level carrying capacity studies or the national report. Jordi Casadevall, the commission president and general councillor for Concòrdia, described these documents as "very important" for strengthening discussions on the country's growth model, though he expressed confidence that the legislative changes could still advance this term.

Casadevall told ANA that the commission has yet to receive the studies, despite repeated requests during both the prior study phase and current proceedings. He stressed ongoing demands to the ministers of Territorial Planning and Environment, seeking conclusions from the seven parish studies alongside the national analysis as soon as possible. The executive is still seeking clarifications from each parish administration to homogenise the data for a unified national overview, rather than withholding the material deliberately.

While acknowledging that the studies would provide a valuable numerical, quantitative, and qualitative foundation, Casadevall insisted they are not essential to complete the reform. "We have the conclusions clear," he said.

The commission aims to incorporate these carrying capacity assessments into the legal framework as a formal tool for territorial planning and urban development. Casadevall advocated balancing parish-specific analyses with a national perspective, noting: "It's good to have them per parish, but there must also be a national one, because in the end we're talking about one country, not seven countries."

On related concerns, Casadevall clarified that the reform—outlined in 17 points from the preliminary report—seeks only to enhance coordination among administrations, without altering or removing the communes' urban planning powers. Each parish will retain its POUP and decision-making authority. Provisions to reduce buildability further from urban cores do not involve downward reclassifications, which remain a commune decision. The right of first refusal will be strictly limited, prioritising public interest without hindering private initiatives.

Despite the absence of studies, the commission adheres to its schedule, planning to table the bill by late September or early October for approval before the legislature ends. One report suggested readiness by December to account for possible early elections.