MASTER PLAN
Integrating the city and the metropolis
Bilbao is entering a new era. The nucleus of the city is changing its form to become the centre of a new type of region. Zorrotzaurre is a key part of that transformation.
Over three miles, the future island of Zorrotzaurre, surrounded by the river and the Deusto Canal, will become an integral part of the life of the city. This long axis becomes meaningful through the integration of Zorrotzaurre with its waterside neighbours: Abandoibarra, Deusto, Olabeaga, Sarriko, San Ignacio, Zorrotza. For each of these “barrios” or “quartiers”, Zorrotzaurre is going to become an active member of metropolitan Bilbao’s daily life.
Even today, it is possible to see the historical links with its neighbours. For example, the parallelism of the streets of Zorrotzaurre with those of San Ignacio and Sarriko, or the boat moorings for the passenger service that crossed the river to Olabeaga. And, of course, it is impossible to ignore the importance that the Port had in the working lives of the men and women of Bilbao.
The new plan for Zorrotzaurre seeks to recover that vitality and integration, going even further, to foresee an ever-more dynamic rôle for the metropolis within a European social and economic network. Zorrotzaurre will set the tendency towards an integrated city that defines new life and work styles within a strong and differentiated local identity.
