In a suburb of Zaragoza (Zaragoza), there is a neighborhood that was once considered a model living area for workers of a major car factory. Today, this settlement resembles a territory cut off from the world, where the lack of basic amenities has become a serious problem for hundreds of families. There are no sidewalks, and the only bus arrives just once every few hours. For elderly residents and young people without a driver’s license, this turns into a daily ordeal.
The story of this place began in the early 1980s, when General Motors (now Stellantis) chose Figueruelas (Figueruelas) as the site for its factory. At that time, hundreds of workers, including foreigners, sought housing close to the plant. This gave rise to the Setabia cooperative development, which is part of the Utebo (Utebo) municipality. The American-style homes with gardens promised a peaceful life away from city noise. But decades later, it turned out that seclusion became isolation.
Today, about 400 people live in this area. Most are former factory workers and their families. The nearest town is six kilometers away along a road with no sidewalks or streetlights. For many residents, especially the elderly, the lack of infrastructure has become a real trap. Without a car, it is nearly impossible to leave the settlement, and the road is dangerous due to heavy traffic during rush hour.
Infrastructure problems
Local authorities admit that in recent years the area has fallen by the wayside. According to Autobild, the municipalities of Utebo and the city of Zaragoza share responsibility for maintaining the road leading to the village. However, neither side is in a hurry to invest in widening the roadway or building sidewalks. Residents regularly request repairs and improved conditions but only receive promises in return.
In recent months, the administration has announced plans to replace street lighting on the main road with modern LED lamps, renovate the playground, and fill potholes. Yet these measures do not address the core issue—the lack of a safe pedestrian route to the city. Additionally, part of the infrastructure maintenance costs still fall on the residents themselves, even though they pay taxes on par with other city dwellers.
The situation with public transport is a particular source of frustration. A year ago, the first bus line appeared here, but the interval between trips is three hours. For those who cannot use a private car, this hardly makes life any easier. During the hours when factory workers travel to or from work, the road becomes especially busy, increasing the risk for pedestrians.
Social isolation
Transport and infrastructure problems leave residents feeling cut off from the rest of the city. Young people without driving licenses are forced to stay home or depend on their parents. Seniors struggle to reach shops, pharmacies, and medical facilities. Many say the area is gradually losing its appeal for new families, while longtime residents are increasingly considering relocation.
Authorities promise improvements, but real change is slow to come. Residents fear that without significant investment, the situation will remain the same. They emphasize that industrial development must go hand in hand with concern for people’s quality of life, not just production figures. Otherwise, even the most advanced factories will not be enough to keep people in such neighborhoods.
Looking to the future
The arrival of new businesses, such as the Stellantis and CATL battery gigafactory, is once again drawing attention to this district. An influx of new workers is expected, which could put even more strain on an already weak infrastructure. Residents hope that authorities will finally address their issues and begin real changes, rather than settling for superficial fixes.
The issue of fair distribution of expenses between municipalities and residents remains unresolved. Many believe that only joint efforts can lead to an improvement of the situation. For now, the Setabia district exemplifies how large-scale industrial projects can transform an entire generation’s life—but not always for the better.
Stellantis is one of Europe’s largest automakers, formed through the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The company actively invests in electric mobility and the construction of new production facilities, including battery gigafactories. The plant in Figueruelas near Zaragoza has become a key site for Spanish industry, providing thousands of jobs and impacting the region’s development. However, infrastructure and quality of life issues in neighboring areas remain a concern for local residents.
