Masterplan Zorrozaurre

SITUATION
I Zorrozaurre is an obsolete industrial area located at the western entrance of Bilbao. It is a peninsula almost completely surrounded by the Nervion River and the Deusto Canal. The Nervion river currently isolates the site, but it is also the water which gives this site its future character and identity.
I It is located 15 minutes away from the center of the capital, and is inhabitedby 500 residents and a large number of factories, mostly abandoned.
I THE ARCHITECT
The regeneration of Olabeaga and Zorrozaurre is in hands of the prestigious British architect of Iraqi origin Zaha Hadid. She was born in Baghdad in 1950. She is considered to be the queen of the movement deconstructivist, a current that is characterized by the global vision of all the fields of the design, fromthe structure of the building up to the furniture that decorates the interior.
She was the first winning woman of the Pritzker. Zaha bets in his projects for the construction of "author's buildings ".
Zaha has now the difficult mission to reorganize Olabeaga's puzzle and to transform Zorrozaurre's old peninsula into the new residential zone of Bilbao.
HISTORY
I The Zorrotzaurre urban areacovers 673,560 square metres, with little over a half belonging to public bodies (the Basque Government, the Port Authority of Bilbao and Bilbao City Council). The rest belongs to private industrial companies and local residents.
I Deusto's canal is an arm of artificial water with Northwest - southeast orientation and that practically divides the district. The Canal was in service until 7thFebruary , 2006, during the extensions of the port of Bilbao.
I Zorrotzaurre’s recent history is one of industrial development that was boosted in the fifties with the beginning of the works on the canal. Both in Deusto and in San Ignacio began a wild growth propitiated by the demand of housings near to the economic and managerial center, into which Bilbao was turning. I Different industrial activitiesflourished, particularly those related to the maritime and port activities and other production facilities were installed on the Deusto bank.The most important part of the population of Zorrozaurre had to leave; some because they were expropriated and others because, immediately after the mentioned works, the zone fell down in decline.
I The economic crisis of the seventies had also a profoundeffect on this industrial area, which went into a progressive decline in the quality of life in the area due to the ageing of the housing stock and public and private spaces.

I Nowadays, there are more than 200 plots where there are some companies and workshops in activity, which allows the fluid traffic of vehicles in rush hours. There are 133 economic activities, which generate 1.500 jobs.
Sothe Zorrozaurre’s Master Plan of Zaha Hadid in Bilbao tries to turn a very deteriorated industrial area into a new residential, amusement and business space; by the refurbishment and construction of housing, new industries, tertiary uses, urban and recreational spaces and new connections linking the peninsula, city and surrounding areas.
I THE MASTERPLAN
I Concepts
In the development of theplan, there were five points that describe initial approach to the area.
First, continue with the boldness with which turns towards Bilbao Nervion River, as an element that organizes the development of the city and as for its visual energy.
Second, use the river to identify key points, guidelines, and patterns of connection and dislocation and also work closely with the condition of the groundto identify areas of strength and concentration.
A third point, optimize the organization of existing industries in relation to the city.
The fourth point is the need for significant investment in water infrastructure and transport. These engineering works should be treated as sculptural elements of the new landscape.
Finally, the plan should aim to ensure a coherent integration. Bilbao is...