¿De verdad Madrid tiene éxito? | Noticias de Madrid | EL PAÍS

Contrasting Narratives of Madrid's Success

The article challenges the portrayal of Madrid as a successful global city, juxtaposing its image as a vibrant metropolis with the struggles faced by many of its inhabitants. It highlights a growing divide between the city's image as a tourist destination and its reality for ordinary citizens.

The City's Transformation

The author notes significant changes in Madrid since the early 2000s, observing a shift from a city of locals and small businesses to one dominated by tourism and large-scale developments. This transformation, according to the article, is driven by the pursuit of maximizing profit and projecting a specific image for outside observers.

Criticism of Urban Development

• The article criticizes the focus on large-scale projects like a giant Ferris wheel, aimed at enhancing Madrid's image rather than addressing the needs of its residents.
• It highlights the lack of affordable housing and increasing displacement of poorer residents.
• The rising number of illegal tourist apartments and lack of affordable housing are cited as examples of the city's neglect of its own population.
• Insufficient public services and resources, such as schools and universities, are also criticized.

Social Inequality and Displacement

The article emphasizes the widening gap between the rich and the poor in Madrid, with the influx of wealthy residents and tourists contributing to rising living costs and the displacement of long-term inhabitants. The author uses the term 'Great Replacement' to describe this displacement, emphasizing the change from poor locals to wealthier residents and tourists.

Questioning the Definition of Success

The concluding paragraphs raise fundamental questions about the very definition of success for a city. The author emphasizes the importance of considering who benefits from a city's success and whether this success comes at the expense of the well-being of its residents.