World Design Capital in 2014 - Bilbao

Recently the president of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, Tapany Hyvonen advocated that they should involve the common citizens to help Bilbao to become the World Design Capital in 2014. The concept of this idea is that design should not be something only held by designers, it should make some betterment to normal people’s life.

Then, some people may be confused after reading this news as they do not even know where is Bilbao and how can it be a candidate of the World Design Capital in 2014.

Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country which is a European cultural region home to the Basques that is an ethnic group. It is also the capital of the province of Biscay in Spain. Most of the city’s population spread along the Nervión River, which divides the city into two halves as well. Located in the northernmost part of Spain, Bilbao is an important port and industrial centre for Spain.

Bilbao has a mild oceanic climate without extreme temperatures in summer or in winter.

This history of the city can date back to 1500 when it was founded by Lord of Biscay as a fishing village. Now this place is called "Old Bilbao". In the time of Don Diego, the city was given privilege to expansion, but the growth was a little bit slow and then the next lord conceded this privilege. Later in 15^th century, the war between noble families almost destroyed the city with a remaining population of 3000. Even worse, the following natural disaster like flood and fire hurt the city deeply, but like a miracle, the city revived and started to expand beyond the wall. In 1511, the city was granted as an export port for Merino wool to other northern European countries.

During the Spanish Empire era, the city reached its historic peak being as the significant hub for trade and finance.

Nowadays, the city is under through a regeneration and renewal in order to be a tourist destination.

Bilbao Airport plays a significant role in the Basque Country and even the northern Spain. It is located 9 km north of Bilbao. The establishment of the airport has gone through many experiments and discussions due to the reason that Bilbo is surrounded by mountains. It takes time to find a flat village which is suitable to build an airport there. Finally, Sondika is chosen to be the best location. The construction work started during the Spanish Civil War; therefore, the airport was mostly for military use. In 1940, the idea of building a civic airport came into being.  The first open line was to Madrid.

In 2008, the new terminal building of the airport opened which was designed by the internationally recognized and award-winning Valencian Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava. The design is also a little bit controversial because it would be difficult to enlarge it later according to the Spanish airport authority.

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