Guggenheim Urdaibai: Two New Venues in Basque Biosphere Reserve Face Opposition
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is set to enhance its presence with two additional locations in Urdaibai, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located close to Bilbao, Spain. This initiative, backed by the Diputación of Bizkaia and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), will transform the old Dalia factory and Murueta shipyard. A connecting path of seven kilometers is planned between the two sites. In 2022, Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition designated €40 million for the remediation of 63,000 square meters of land. Since discussions began in 2008, the project has faced resistance from Guggenheim Urdaibai Stop and Zain Dezaguin Urdaibai, who have raised concerns regarding a modification to coastal protection laws. Currently, the project is on hold for a two-year feasibility assessment until 2026, with projected expenses of €130 million.
Key facts
- Guggenheim plans two new venues in Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, near Bilbao.
- Sites: former Dalia factory in Gernika and Murueta shipyard.
- Seven-kilometer pedestrian/bicycle path to connect venues.
- Supported by Diputación of Bizkaia and PNV.
- Miteco allocated €40 million for land remediation in 2022.
- 63,000 sq m to be remediated; only 19,000 sq m for buildings.
- Environmental groups Guggenheim Urdaibai Stop and Zain Dezaguin Urdaibai oppose project.
- Legal challenge over coastal protection law modification reducing buffer zone from 100 to 20 meters.
- Project suspended for two-year feasibility study until 2026.
- Total estimated cost: €130 million over six years.
- Basque lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu announced suspension.
- Guggenheim Bilbao director Juan Ignacio Vidarte declined comment.
- Original Bilbao Guggenheim faced similar criticism in early 1990s.
Entities
Artists
- Pablo Picasso
Institutions
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Diputación of Bizkaia
- Basque Nationalist Party (PNV)
- Ministry for Ecological Transition (Miteco)
- Audiencia Nacional
- UNESCO
- Guggenheim Urdaibai Stop
- Zain Dezaguin Urdaibai
- Artribune
- Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge
Locations
- Urdaibai
- Bilbao
- Spain
- Gernika
- Basque Country
- Bermeo
- Laga
- Laida
- San Juan de Gaztelugaxte
- Cantabrian Sea
- New York
- United States
- Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
- Murueta
- San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
- Atlantic Ocean