Shack-style apartments: living in 11 square meters is becoming increasingly common due to housing shortages
El País, in its front page of November 14, 2026, reports that the rising demand for minimal spaces—especially during housing crises—has prompted architects to advocate for strengthened controls over habitability.
Urban context and the need for regulation
According to the article published by El País, many citizens are forced to live in extremely small spaces with usable areas below established standards. In some cases, dwellings of less than 10 square meters have been reported, highlighting a severe inadequacy of the real estate market in meeting basic habitation needs.
Architects cite widespread housing shortages as the primary cause behind this trend. Although they do not provide exact figures or detailed statistical data, they note that the phenomenon is growing and disproportionately affects urban sectors characterized by high population density and low housing supply.
Limits of minimal living space
p>The text does not mention whether official regulations exist regarding the minimum size of habitable housing; however, it emphasizes that many cases present areas insufficient to fulfill essential functions such as bedrooms, kitchens, or bathrooms. This raises ethical and practical concerns about the human right to a dignified living space.The article does not assert that these conditions are common across all types of neighborhoods nor specifies which regions are most affected. The information comes exclusively from content published by El País and does not include additional verified data from official sources or independent institutions.
Limits of the source
The report is based solely on the content available at elpais.com/economia/negocios/2026-11-14/pisos-zulo-cuando-vivir-en-11-metros-es-cada-vez-mas-comun.html. There is no evidence that zulo spaces represent a widespread trend or have been officially registered as a structural phenomenon. The claim about their increasing commonality is not supported by official statistics nor independent studies.
It cannot be inferred from this material that the issue is systemic across the entire national territory, nor that there exists a specific public policy aimed at addressing it. The article presents the situation as an observed urban reality without offering deep analyses of economic, social, or administrative causes.