Urban Development of the Jesús Galíndez Slope

Spain

The urban development of the Jesús Galíndez slope is part of a broader strategy led by the Bilbao City Council to revitalize the peripheral districts of the city. The initiative, designed and executed by IDOM, aims to improve accessibility, urban quality, and social cohesion by transforming previously neglected spaces into vibrant areas for public use and interaction.

Prior to the intervention, the site was a steep rocky slope with an 18-meter elevation difference, isolated by the city’s expansion and lacking any defined function. This topographical feature acted as a physical and social barrier between the neighborhoods of Txurdinaga and Otxarkoaga, resulting in a residual, unstable, and inaccessible urban void.

The project’s approach centers on a geometric reconfiguration of the terrain. The slope was reshaped using inclined planes made of various materials, emphasizing its unique topographic identity and contrasting with the surrounding urban fabric. This transformation not only stabilized the terrain but also reimagined it as a habitable landscape, integrating pedestrian pathways, rest areas, children’s play zones, and green spaces.

One of the most significant aspects of the intervention is the creation of fluid connections between the upper and lower levels of the site. These new links promote universal accessibility and foster interaction between adjacent neighborhoods, turning a former obstacle into a connective and inclusive urban infrastructure.

Beyond its technical and urban resolution, the project adds social, environmental, and aesthetic value to the area. The new Jesús Galíndez slope stands as a compelling example of how landscape architecture can reclaim and repurpose underutilized urban spaces, transforming them into places of opportunity, community, and cohesion. It is a landscape intervention that not only enhances the immediate surroundings but also contributes to the broader vision of a more integrated and livable city.

Landscaping & City