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 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 Located in Northern Spain 4. Construction of a new bridge, designed by Santiago Manufacturing town Calatrava After Franco unemployment hit 25% 5. The Abandoibarra riverfront development, including a 1 million square-foot office and shopping mall complex, Late 80’s came up with the Strategic Plan 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 Tourism Increased property prices Initial increase of 50% Continued urban development 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 Economic Growth Purpose of design Job creation International and national Foreign investment Figure 2: Unemployment Rate, Bilbao Figure 3: Employment in Manufacturing and (1995-2005), in % 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? .