Introduction

In the time since our fieldwork was completed in November 2016, we are still reminded everyday about the people we met in Valdemingómez, not only because we often talk about them and reminisce about our fieldwork, but also because having researched what has been taking place here, we exposed ourselves to a brazen reality that is far from public consciousness and yet close to political inertia. This is especially the case when we walk around the glorious city centre paradise that is Madrid, knowing that only a few kilometres south, in a forgotten corner of the city, there exists an unimaginable poverty that has turned septic in its neglect. We got to know the people there, rather than judge them for their dishevelled appearances, brutal attitudes towards damaging drug use and absolute destitution. Although Rubén has now completed his Master's in Intelligence Studies and starts his preparation for the police exams, and Daniel moves on to conclude his research on the refugee crisis, high-class brothels and problematic tourist zones, perhaps, like our participants, we acknowledge that for a time Valdemingómez also had us hooked – the people's circumstances, their stories, and the sight of it all. And in doing so, we have unlocked a consciousness about how the world works that we cannot seal, for we are able to recognise where else similar destructive processes are taking place that ravage the lives of the most vulnerable in society. We see below the opulence and pizzazz of the commercial city centres, we see its oppressive undercurrents in action on a daily basis, in the city's shadows, where rampant inequality lurks and the conventional fractures.

Action plan for Valdemingómez

Towards the end of 2016, the various local councils (Rivas and Coslada) and regional government (Madrid) had started to ‘gather information’ and meet to discuss ways of improving living conditions in Valdemingómez. Already it seems various commissions have been established dedicated to urban planning, social integration, health, education and an integration plan for refugees and illegal immigrants. It seems there is some interest in ‘including it in society’ by ‘putting down asphalt roads, lights, establishing a mail service, bus route, basic services, water and social controls’. Preference is to be given to those who were part of the census undertaken in 2011, and residents are to be offered the chance to own the land their house occupies.