The second meeting within the Gdańsk Urban Talks will take place on April 22nd at Nomus – The New Art Museum. This time, the guest will be Asier Abaunza, a member of the executive authorities of the city of Bilbao, responsible for spatial planning, strategic projects, and public spaces, who will talk about how Bilbao transformed from an industrial center into a modern city and what the „Bilbao effect” is.
Bilbao, located in the Basque Country in northern Spain, is one of the most famous examples of successful post-industrial city revitalization. Just a few decades ago, it was associated mainly with heavy industry, but today it attracts tourists, investors, and urban planning experts from all over the world.
The Bilbao effect, also known as the „Guggenheim effect,” shows how an iconic cultural investment can become an important element of a broader city transformation strategy. The construction of the museum was one of the symbolic moments of this change, but its success was primarily due to a consistently implemented revitalization program that included investments in public transport, spaces along the Nervión River, urban infrastructure, and new districts.
Thanks to this, Bilbao has transformed into a modern center of services, culture, and high-quality public spaces, and its transformation process has become one of the most frequently analyzed examples of urban regeneration in Europe.
– During the meeting, we will learn not only what the Bilbao effect is, but above all, we will consider whether and to what extent such a transformation model can be an inspiration for other cities – comments Michał Jamroż, project manager of Gdańsk Nowe Południe (InvestGDA / Pomeranian Development Agency) and co-organizer of Gdańsk Urban Talks. – Asier Abaunza is responsible in Bilbao for spatial planning and strategic projects as a member of the city's executive authorities. This is a particularly valuable perspective because it combines expert knowledge with a social mandate and responsibility for the real implementation of changes on a city-wide scale.
Gdańsk Urban Talks – a conversation about the future of cities
The Gdańsk Urban Talks series is a series of open meetings dedicated to contemporary urban challenges, mobility, revitalization, and spatial planning. Their goal is to familiarize residents with the processes that shape modern cities and to showcase best practices from Poland and around the world.
The events are jointly organized by Gdańsk Nowe Południe (InvestGDA and Pomeranian Development Agency) and Airport City Gdańsk (Gdańsk Airport) in cooperation with the Architect of the City of Gdańsk as a continuation of the „Open Lectures” format.
The second Gdańsk Urban Talks meeting will be an opportunity not only to learn about the history of one of the most famous urban transformations in Europe but also to discuss what lessons from Bilbao's experience can be inspiring for Gdańsk and other dynamically developing cities.
The organizers invite everyone interested in city development, urban planning, and the future of public spaces.
Event information:
- Bilbao. How an industrial city became a city for people – Asier Abaunza, member of the executive authorities of the city of Bilbao responsible for spatial planning and strategic projects
- date: Wednesday, April 22nd, 6:00 PM
- venue: Nomus – The New Art Museum of the National Museum in Gdańsk, Jaracza 14 Street
- free admission
- lecture in English
