The Plan foresees an irregular skyline and a ground layout by layers that will give Zorrotzaurre a strong experimental unity. Within the island, three districts are defined (South, Centre and North) whose differences lie in the usage and the density of buildings. Two new urban spaces are also included to prolong the Deusto and San Ignacio districts bringing them into contact with the water.

In the South District, Zorrotzaurre lends itself to a natural urban intensification. Just steps away, across the river, from Abandoibarra and the Ensanche and conveniently surrounded by academic, medical, business and engineering centres it is an ideal area for economy knowledge development.

Building here will be more intensive than in the other two districts and will integrate the riverbank area through a suggestive mix of office and residential blocks. Public patios and passages will create a complex but porous environment that will link the new with the old.

The tertiary space is divided between the Southern Technology Park (66,500m2) and the new Head Office of the local savings bank, Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa (25,000m2).

The Central District is the natural reflection of the open nature of the Sarriko Park on the other side of the canal and uses the strength of the landscape to establish a strong coherence among vastly different historical buildings. This district is seen as a centre for the arts, sports and environmental sciences connected by a “green bridge” to Sarriko Park and the University.

In the North District, Zorrotzaurre will establish a concentrated urban nucleus within the long-term development of the river estuary, with a sequence of new bridges that create an essential urban link between San Ignacio and Zorrotza. Conceived mainly as an urban “barrio”, it will link San Ignacio to create a critical mass sufficient to support the regeneration of small businesses. However, 31,000m2 are reserved for the Technology Park.

The North and Central districts are defined by their integration with the water through local moorings for small boats, ponds, wooden walkways over the water and water-side bars to promote a tranquil leisure culture on the bank of the canal.