Anniversary: it is four years since the Bilbao City Council approved the Special Plan for Zorrotzaurre

Four years ago today (29.11.2012) the Bilbao City Council approved the Special Plan for the Urban Reorganisation of Zorrotzaurre.

Initially approved on October 9th, 2011, the Special Plan was opened to the public on two occasions and around 50 allegations to the Project were received, the majority minor in nature but some of considerable importance; among the most important that were adopted were the elimination of the District Heating on a plot in San Ignacio which was then to be dedicated to public use, and the no-demolition of the former industrial building known as ‘Papelera’ and its use as a cultural centre.

A fundamental aspect of the approved Special Plan, based on the Master Plan drawn up by Zaha Hadid is that it incorporates the complete opening up of the Deusto Canal, which will convert the current peninsula into an island.

Other relevant aspects of the Plan are:

• It sets out 5 areas that, together, represent 838,781 m2: the Mixed Zone (609,110 m2), the Deusto Canal (184,287 m2), the opening up of the canal (29,154 m2), the Health services area – IMQ (12,178 m2) and the tertiary zone – IDOM (4,051 m2).
• It foresees the building of four bridges: one to join Zorrotzaurre to Deusto (already built, the Frank Gehry bridge), another that will join the future island to San Ignacio (the design has already been presented and there will shortly be a call for tenders), another to connect to Zorroza and a fourth to allow the tram to enter Zorrotzaurre from the Ensanche.
• The tram will run the length of the island and will have four stops.
• The Plan includes the maintenance of the current housing and the construction of 5,473 new dwellings (2,747 price-controlled and social housing units and 2,726 privately developed units). The first development of 360 units in the Deusto and San Ignacio areas is already underway.
• 17 former industrial buildings will be conserved, to be given over to new uses, after their renovation. The Papelera building has already finished its renovation.
• The creation of a riverside park, three new green areas and 7.5km of riverside walks.