THE ROLE OF ARCHITECTURE ON THE

REVITALIZATION OF BILBAO, SPAIN TAYGRA LONGSTAFF

Bilbao Abandoibarra 1980’s Bilbao Abandoibarra Currently

LITERATURE REVIEW

Environment-Behavior Studies (EBS) in Architecture

Economic Contributions

Effects in differing social classes

Changes in global perception

RESEARCH QUESTION

What effect has recent architecture had on Bilbao,

Spain?

BRIEF HISTORY

Located in Northern Spain

Manufacturing town

After Franco unemployment hit 25%

Late 80’s came up with the Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan:

1. Expansion and modernization of the port

2. New transportation facilities, including a subway designed by Norman Foster

3. Expansion of the airport, designed by Santiago Calatrava

4. Construction of a new bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava

5. The Abandoibarra riverfront development, including a 1 million square-foot office and shopping mall complex, designed by César Pelli

6. Construction of the Euskalduna Convention Centre and Music Hall, designed by Federico Soriano and Dolores Palacio

7. Construction of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Social Polarization

Increased Tourism

Change in Global Recognition

Economic Growth

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao designed by Frank

Gehry opened in 1997

ARGUMENT AND EVIDENCE

Social Polarization

Increased property prices

Continued urban development

Increased Tourism

Initial increase of 50%

84% stated the Guggenheim as destination

Figure 1: Visitors to the Guggenheim, Incoming Travelers,

and Overnight Stays (January 1994-January 2000)

ARGUMENT AND EVIDENCE

Global Recognition

Purpose of design

International and national

Economic Growth

Job creation

Foreign investment

Figure 2: Unemployment Rate, Bilbao

(1995-2005), in %

Figure 3: Employment in Manufacturing and

Services Sectors, Bilbao

CONCLUSION

Separation in classes

Increased Tourism

National and international perception change

Job creation

Not the Guggenheim Museum solo

IMPLICATIONS

Part of bigger project

Can be risky investment

Involves negative effects

REFERENCES

Pictures of Bilbao. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=428703

Picture of Valencia. http://cnfle.com/valencia-spain-artssciences-amazing-hd/valencia-spain-artssciences-amazing-hd-

2

Picture of the Guggenheim. http://notesplusultra.com/tag/bilbao/

Figure 1: Plaza, Beatriz. "Evaluating the Influence of a Large Cultural Artifact in the Attraction of Tourism. The

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Case." Urban Affairs Review 36, no. 2 (2000): 264-274. Sage Journals (accessed

February 11, 2014).

Figure 2: Ploger, Jorg. “Bilbao City Report.” Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, 2007.

Figure 3: Ploger, Jorg. “Bilbao City Report.” Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, 2007.

Questions?