© S333 Architecture + Urbanism . Published on March 17, 2010.

The Bay of Pasaia was once an attractive, natural estuary for the River Oiastzun but over time the areas around the bay have been transformed into large, man- made sites for shipyards, warehouses and for the storage of materials and goods.

© S333 Architecture + Urbanism . Published on March 17, 2010.

Titled ʻRevealing the Waterʼ, the S333/Balmori masterplan is premised on breaking down this artificial land, returning the waterfront sites to their natural state. The result is a cleaner, more sustainable and healthier urban environment set within a network of parks and open spaces around the bay. The area would become a highly attractive place to live and work for people of all ages, close to the water and to the hills. This is the true significance of the site’s value, lying at the centre of the Bayonne-San Sebastian Eurocity conurbation. The masterplan is premised on five planning concepts:

© S333 Architecture + Urbanism . Published on March 17, 2010.

1. Revealing the water and transforming the present sites to a hybrid state that allows for new development while improving drainage, water quality and biodiversity

© S333 Architecture + Urbanism . Published on March 17, 2010.

2. Making waterfront parks and open spaces that are linked into a wider network of parks and routes around the bay, such as the Camino de Santiago

© S333 Architecture + Urbanism . Published on March 17, 2010.

3. Re-establishing connections between the site and itʼs surrounding context by road, rail and boat

© S333 Architecture + Urbanism . Published on March 17, 2010.

4. Strengthening the existing neighbourhoods around the bay, by also reflecting their distinctly different identities, architectures, public spaces, streetscapes and relationships to the coastline

5. Building on local know-how to establish an accompanying cultural renewal and branding the site’s future in a solid base of marine and energy technology, gastronomy and fashion through Paco Rabanneʼs label. Proposals for social-economic regeneration include bringing new, clean industries to the waterfront that can combine with and draw upon local knowledge, culture and expertise that already exist on the site. Combining university facilities, research departments and local businfurther growth and start to build a character to th