The Albaicín, one of the most visited and touristically attractive neighbourhoods in Granada, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. However, its deteriorated state of conservation, with serious situations of substandard housing, led to the development of the Integral Rehabilitation of the Albaicín project in 2002. This project seeks to improve the living conditions of the residents and revalue the historical and architectural heritage, affecting 5,007 dwellings and combining the characteristics of the historical centre with urban growth. The plan promotes social and cultural diversity, gender equality and covers equipment, mobility and security needs, involving citizens in technical and administrative solutions.

The Albaicín is a neighbourhood located in the centre of Granada. It is one of the most visited and most touristic, with a high heritage value, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2007. However, its state of conservation, including serious situations of substandard housing, motivated the development of the project for the Integral Rehabilitation of the Albaicín. This project, initiated in 2002, seeks to improve both the living conditions of the residents and to revalue and recover parts of the historical and architectural heritage.

To this end, the plan establishes a comprehensive intervention affecting 5,007 dwellings, combining the unique characteristics of the historic centre with the growth of the urban fabric. The plan also focuses on maintaining the social and cultural diversity of the ethnic minorities present in the neighbourhood and promoting gender equality, while considering the needs of the inhabitants in terms of facilities, mobility and perception of safety.

The uniqueness of both the urban landscape and the architectural typologies in an environment with a high identity value makes it necessary to incorporate citizen participation in order to implement feasible solutions at a technical and administrative level in cooperation with the neighbours. The creation of a regeneration office to accompany the inhabitants and other actors in the process has been key to the development of the plan.

All of this has allowed the establishment of a "culture of rehabilitation" that has made possible the realisation of projects of high architectural quality with an impact on a larger urban scale, as is the case of the Kuna House, an example of contemporary architecture rooted in the particularities of the place. Casa Kuna is a sustainable community space in the centre of Granada, revitalising an empty 150 m² space. The project focuses on the sale of recycled second-hand goods and local craft workshops, encouraging coexistence between vulnerable groups and residents of the Albaicín. It has created opportunities and improved neighbourhood relations through workshops and training, responding to the growing discontent in the neighbourhood.

Thus the project demonstrates not only the need for housing rehabilitation for vulnerable groups, but also the importance of opening up community spaces, where people can meet and work together. Moreover, to do so in a space where the circular economy is encouraged.