Definitive Approval of the Zorrotzaurre Special Plan

The Bilbao City Council gave definitive approval today to the Zorrotzaurre Special Urban Plan.

Originally approved on November 9th, 2011, the Plan has been open for public viewing twice leading to a number of modifications of the initial Plan.

The most significant modifications were the elimination of the District Heating Unit leaving the plot set aside for public use, and the maintenance of the ‘Papelera’ building on the Deusto river bank for cultural uses, which in turn has meant the elimination of several residential buildings and the creation of a green zone.

A fundamental aspect of the special Plan lies in the opening of the Deusto Canal, which will convert the peninsula into an island.

Other relevant aspects of the Plan are:

• Identification of 5 areas totalling 838,781 m2: The Mixed Zone (609,110 m2), the Deusto Canal (184,287 m2), the canal opening (29,154 m2), the Health Infrastructure IMQ (12,178 m2) and the Tertiary Zone – Idom – (4,051 m2)
• Four bridges will be built: Zorrotzaurre to Deusto, the island to San Ignacio, the island to Zorrotza and a fourth for the tram line into Zorrotzaurre from the Ensanche.
• The tram line will run the length of the island with 4 stops.
• The Plan foresees the maintenance of the existing housing and the construction of 5,473 new dwellings (2,747 protected housing units and 2,726 private units).
• 17 industrial buildings are to be conserved, renovated and converted for other uses.
• A riverside park and 3 new green zones will be created along with 7.5 kilometres of riverside walks.

Summary

The Bilbao City Council gave definitive approval today to the Zorrotzaurre Special Urban Plan. Originally approved on November 9th, 2011, the Plan has been open for public viewing twice leading to a number of modifications of the initial Plan.