Bilbao

 

• From industrial decline to a competitive service industry...
• From environmental deterioration to urban excellence...
• From a dark recent history to a brighter future...

In the early 80’s, Bilbao went through a severe industrial crisis on top of which came the floods of ’83. Following a golden age of industrial glory, when the city hit rock bottom it proved to be the precursor for change. Bilbao’s first step in tackling its regeneration was to modernize its transport systems. A new outer harbour was created; a spectacular metro system was constructed, designed by Norman Foster; a modern tramway network – as well as Bilbao’s new international airport, made a reality by the architect Santiago Calatrava. A major part of Bilbao’s regeneration was the cleaning up of the river and the recovery of its banks. Traditional industries have given way to new technologies, a highly developed modern structure of service-based industries and a commitment to promoting Bilbao as a university city.

 

Culture has become a priority for Bilbao, the flagship being Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum which has become an international icon. Following on from the modernization of the Museum of Fine Arts and the construction of a new Congress Centre, came the renovation of the old Municipal Corn Exchange which was transformed into a centre for distributing information on urban culture and public health, whilst the Campos Elíseos Theatre was refurbished as a venue for cutting edge performances. The creation of these new spaces consolidates a broad cultural offering focussed very much on the originality and creativity that reflect the unique and authentic nature of the city and its people. Time and space developed by culture. Bilbao is also committed to a prestigious quality of architecture. Apart from Gehry, Foster and Calatrava, other important projects have been completed in Bilbao by architects such as Cesar Pelli, Rafael Moneo, Saha Hadid, Arata Isozaki, Ricardo Legorreta and Alvaro Siza.