How to convert a building plot into an urban plot in Bizkaia?

Why convert a plot of land for development into urban land?

When you have a building plotmeans that its development has not yet started. While it has potential, it does not have the infrastructure to build immediately. Turning it into a urban plot opens the door to building, whether for housing, facilities or commercial projects. It is an essential step towards adding value to the land and allowing it to be used in accordance with the urban planning regulations of Bizkaia and Bilbao.

Factors to take into account

The cost and time to convert land varies depending on several factors:

• Size and characteristics of the terrain.
• Distance to public services.
• Municipal taxes and administrative management.

Now, what are the key steps in completing this process?

Steps to transform a plot for development into an urban plot in Bilbao and Bizkaia

1. Consultation of local regulations

Before taking any steps, it is crucial to review the local regulations and the General Town Planning Plan (PGOU) of the municipality where the plot is located. This will let you know if your land is developable and under what conditions you can carry out the development process.

2. Town planning instruments for land transformation 

Once you have studied the local regulations, you should use the appropriate land-use planning instrument for conversion into a  urban plot. There are several instruments: Partial Plan, Special Plan (P.E.O.U.), Detailed Study, Urban Development Action Programme (P.A.U.)... The objective of this instrument is the development of the plot, as explained in the following section.

3. Preparation of a development project

The next step in developing a building plot is the development of a development project. This document, which will be drawn up by an architect like us at Nistal Architectsdefines all technical and legal aspects of the urbanisation process. It includes details on the design of streets, water supply networks, electricity, sewerage and more.

4. Licence and permit management

Once the development project to the municipality, you will need to process different licences and permits. This may include:

• Building permit for urbanisation.
• Environmental permits and impact studies.

5. Reparcelling of land (if necessary)

If your land is large and you want to divide it into several plots for different uses or owners, you will need a reparcelling process. This process redistributes land ownership and adapts the resulting plots to the uses foreseen in the partial plan.

6. Management and execution of the development work

During the development of the urbanisation works, it is vital to have a architect to be responsible for the site management. This professional will ensure that the execution of the work complies with the regulations and that the agreed deadlines and budgets are respected.

The final step is the execution of the works which will provide the land with the necessary infrastructure: roads, pavements, water, electricity and sewage networks. Once this work has been completed, the land can be officially considered as a urban.

7. Building your project

Your urban land is now suitable for the construction of your project, allowing you to start the design phase. For more information, we have prepared a guide with 10 essential steps to carry out the construction of your house.

Costs of converting a plot of land for development into urban land

The cost of developing land varies depending on a number of factors, among them:

• Location: Land closer to an established urban area will be cheaper to develop than land far from basic infrastructure.
• Land size: The larger the plot, the higher the development costs.
• Soil characteristics and orography: Sloping terrain or difficult soils may require additional works.

Administrative and technical costs

The process of urbanisation also includes a number of administrative costs, such as the municipal taxes and the fees of professionals such as architects e engineers. They are responsible for drafting the development projectthe site managementas well as previous studies (such as the environmental impact assessment or the project of installations).

Importance of the architect in the process

The architect plays a central role in all phases of this process. From the drafting of the development project to the site managementThe architect ensures that the site complies with all legal and technical requirements, including advice on administrative formalities. On Nistal ArchitectsWe have extensive experience in these processes, guaranteeing a complete and professional service. See the process for hiring an architect.

Conclusion: How can we help you at Nistal Arquitectos?