The DOM3 Business Association for High Quality Housing closed the season with a meeting that brought together the mayors of Estepona and Benahavís, José María García Urbano and José Antonio Mena, and the deputy mayor of Marbella, Félix Romero. This meeting strengthens the association’s relationship with the town councils of the Golden Triangle and opens up new avenues of collaboration to promote important issues such as the development of new infrastructures, the sustainable growth of the Costa del Sol and the need to build affordable housing for citizens.
The event began with an assessment of the 2024 season, in which the president of the association, Charly Simon, reviewed the main actions carried out. ‘This year we have consolidated strategic alliances, expanded our network of partners and strengthened dialogue with municipal administrations. These actions allow us to face the future with optimism and with projects that benefit both the sector and the local communities.
Public-private partnerships for sustainable development
The Mayor of Estepona has underlined the importance of public-private collaboration to face common challenges, such as water scarcity or affordable housing. ‘Estepona is committed to projects such as the creation of new desalination plants, which will not only cover our needs, but will also contribute to the sustainability of the Costa del Sol as a whole. It is essential that we work together to offer effective solutions to the challenges that lie ahead’, he stressed.
For his part, the mayor of Benahavís emphasised the role of planned urbanism in guaranteeing a development that respects the environment. ‘Benahavís has grown steadily, maintaining low densities and respecting the identity of the municipality. However, this growth requires a coordinated effort between the municipalities of the Golden Triangle to guarantee infrastructures and services that adapt to demand,’ said Mena.
On the other hand, the Deputy Mayor of Marbella commented on the need to implement policies that balance the attraction of new investors with improving the quality of life of residents. ‘Marbella is in the process of revising its General Plan for Municipal Planning (PGOM), a crucial step to ensure an orderly urban development. However, we must pay special attention to affordable housing, an issue that directly affects the sustainability of our growth model,’ explained Romero.
Affordable housing challenge
Another of the main themes of this meeting of businessmen and mayors was the need to address the problem of affordable housing on the Costa del Sol. The municipal representatives and members of DOM3 agreed that this challenge requires decisive and joint action.
‘If we do not solve this problem, we will be affecting basic services and also the viability of the high quality housing sector. Without nurses, doctors, teachers and other professionals, it will be impossible to maintain the balance necessary to sustain our model of success,’ warned García Urbano.
Looking to the future
The event closed with an optimistic message from the three municipal representatives and the president of DOM3, who agreed on the importance of continuing to work together to preserve and improve the quality of life in the Golden Triangle.
‘2025 will be a year of great challenges, but also of unique opportunities. DOM3 will continue to be a key player in defining the future of the Costa del Sol, committed to sustainable growth and the excellence that characterises us,’ said Simon.
Charly Simon took advantage of this meeting to welcome the new partners who have recently joined the association: Panorama Properties and Solvilla, two real estate agencies of reference in the high quality market. Also joining DOM3 in 2024 are Vicox Legal, Ambience Home Design and Grupo Polo, which was one of the founding members and has returned for this new phase.
With a view to 2025, the president has advanced that the association will continue to work on initiatives focused on sustainability, training for members with events and guests of relevance to the sector and the improvement of infrastructure, all aligned with the balanced growth of the Costa del Sol.
As a continuation of these lines of collaboration, the DOM3 board is meeting this week with Marbella’s town planning councillor, José Eduardo Díaz, to present the proposals of the high quality housing entrepreneurs with a view to the drafting of the new Urban Development Plan (POU).
The more than 40 companies associated with DOM3 generated a total turnover of close to 1.2 billion euros last year, an increase of 15% compared to 2022. In terms of employment, these companies generated some 2,300 direct jobs and around 5,200 indirect jobs.
Throughout 2024 DOM3 has made an important commitment to training for its associates with a programme of conferences featuring Toni Nadal, Caterina de la Portilla, Happy Force, Ana de Puig and Esperanza de Justo. It also paid tribute to Count Rudi and the Marbella Club for its 70th anniversary, an emblematic hotel in the city that has also joined the association as a partner, joining other collaborating companies such as Nobu Hotel Marbella, Puente Romano Beach Resort, Hotel Don Pepe A Gran Meliá, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Bentley, Bang & Olufsen, One2One, beex Customer Experience and Imagen.
