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The IURC Latin America programme held its webinar n.17 “Bilbao’s Post-industrial Transformation: A Blueprint for Urban Rebirth”, on September 26th, 2023. The primary objective of this session was to delve into the urban regeneration and transformation process of Bilbao, highlighting key strategies, challenges, and successes.
Through expert insights and discussions, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the Bilbao model and its relevance to urban development. The Bilbao urban regeneration experience is indeed a fascinating case study, demonstrating how strategic planning, architecture, culture, and governance can revitalize a declining industrial city into a thriving, dynamic metropolis. This webinar aimed to explore the multifaceted aspects of Bilbao’s transformation and draw lessons that can inspire urban renewal initiatives worldwide.
Borja Lopez and Cernin Martinez, the panellists for this webinar, highlighted several key lessons learned from the city’s transformation and provided a comprehensive overview of the city’s unique context, from its historical evolution to industrial decline and social challenges. It underlines the importance of comprehensive planning and long-term vision. In addition, they emphasised the role of collaborative governance and public-private partnerships’ pivotal role in fostering iconic projects and a shift towards a diversified, sustainable economy. Bilbao’s success emphasizes the adaptability of cities to changing contexts and the importance of commitment, some good fortune, and a focus on societal benefit. While Bilbao’s experience is unique, its lessons in effective urban transformation and resilience offer valuable insights for cities worldwide.
The webinar provided a platform for knowledge sharing and inspiration in the field of urban regeneration by examining the success story of Bilbao’s post-industrial development. Participants from 27 cities and 13 countries joined the webinar.
Watch (or re-watch!) the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJIF8APrsvk