Comment on Barcelona plans to ban short-term rentals as cities rethink the Airbnb effect

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família is one of Barcelona's most famous sites.Alexandr Spatari/Getty ImagesBarcelona plans to end short-term rentals by 2029 to address the housing crisis.Rents in Barcelona rose 36% from 2018 to 2022 amid a broader Spanish rental crisis.Opponents argue the ban will not significantly impact housing availability or rental prices.Barcelona plans to end short-term rentals after complaints that tourism has priced locals out of the housing market.In a blow to platforms like Airbnb, the Spanish city will stop issuing new licenses and will not renew existing ones, Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni said at a press conference on Friday.