Zorrotzaurre, the peninsula of the Riverof Bilbao, will be transformed into anisland. This completely new district willbe home to tall and modern buildingswhere innovative companies will standside-by-side to residential buildings.Furthermore, part of the old factoriesthat have occupied this place, rootedin the city's maritime past for manydecades, will continue to play a rolein this new urban plan.

The British-Iraki architect Zaha HADID hasbeen commissioned with drafting the masterplan for the urbanisation of this area, whichcovers a total of 838,781 m2, over 65% ofwhich will be for public use. AlthoughZorrotzaurre will be mostly residential innature, with 50% of the homes to be publichousing, a minimum of 25% of the land surfaceis to be reserved for commercial use.

The decision to convert the peninsula into anisland is motivated by the urgent need toprevent the danger of flooding. Hydraulicstudies undertaken recommended wideningthe Deusto Canal to 75 metres, and that theflood height of the future island be raised tobetween +4.50 and +5.00 metres.

Aside from housing, the master plan also callsfor three bridges connecting the islandto Deusto, San Ignacio and Zorrotza, and

since the navigability of the River must besafeguarded, they will need to be swingbridges. Still more bridges may be requiredin future, since top priority is being given topublic transportation, particularly by extendingthe tramway from the Ensanche district, alongwith expanding Bilbao's network of pedestrianand cycle paths. Not only is Zorrotzaurre amajor urban renewal undertaking, it is also areflection of the innovative spirit beingdisplayed in Bilbao's expansion.

Zorrotzaurre's skyline can already boast its firstarchitectural landmark: the IMQ private healthbuilding will be home to the largest private healthclinic in Euskadi. Occupying an area of 9,000 m2,the new centre will have room for 210 hospitalbeds, an Intensive Care Unit with 12 boxes and10 intelligent operating theatres, and a car parkfor 340 vehicles.

Although some projects are still in the planning stage,others are quickly taking shape, of which three are tobe noted: the IMQ building, designed by CarlosFERRATER, the new BBK-Savings Bank headquartersby Zaha HADID, and the future IDOM building.

Located on the Right bank of the DeustoCanal opposite the future island, the oldBonded Warehouse building in Elorrieta isthe site of the new Bilbao headquarters ofthe engineering and architectural firmIDOM. Based on the foundation ofsustainability and energy efficiency, thisreconstruction features a unique green façadeand a grass roof, a leisure room and library.