RC - Burdin Harana, El Valle del Hierro (The Iron Valley)

Short description:

Urola Garaia is a region located in the heart of Gipuzkoa, composed of the towns of Legazpi, Zumarraga, Urretxu and Ezkio-Itsaso. As the financial recourses basically came from the industry (siderurgy) the crisis in the branch, occurred toward the end of the 80's affected dramatically the population. Arising from this situation a group integrated by the local administrations, the private sector and particulars brought to life the LENBUR project focused on searching new ways for revitalising the region.
Three major objectives were set up:  
· Recovery of the industrial area in order to erect a museum.
 · Recovery of a free area (nearly 10 km) as a natural park to combine the patrimonial aspects of culture, industry and nature from the point of view of tourist development.
 · Revitalisation of rural areas.
These objectives were carried out through:
 A Strategic Policy for the region and specific programs for local coverage; rehabilitation of the city centres; actions in relation to the waste management; didactic material; investigation on history of iron; Workshop school, etc.
A relevant characteristic is the decision in favour of controlling the territorial arrangement policies via subsidiary rules, that should coincide with the previously mentioned policies.  The first steps begin within an integral project focused on the economical diversification. The tourist sector has became an objective of the European Community as founds have been granted through the Initiative RESIDER II

Start date:

01/01/1992

Implementation date:

01/01/1992

Place:

Alto Urola

Country:

Spain

Completion date:

01/12/1998

Region:

Basque Country

Links:

http://www.habitat.aq.upm.es

Scale 

Local

Phase

Realisation

Type(s) of MILU 

Interweaving: use of the same space for different functions.

Theme(s) 

GREEN - green spaces and urban rural relations.

Partners

 Initiative:  

The LENBUR Foundation

Planning and design:

The LENBUR Foundation

  Realization:

The LENBUR Foundation

Lessons learned

The problems and diffculties arisen along the process are due to the need for a change in the mentality of the population in order to feel confident in the success of the projects. People were rather reluctant to implying themselves either financially or personally, although they received support. Actions have been performed slowlier than desired but it has been great ideas require time. On the other hand the amount of different agents increases the difficulty in co-ordination and taking decisions. The self-valuation effect has been one of the best results. The implication of public agents as well as private agents are necessary to guarantee the success.

We could highlight: 

- In the field of exchange the experiences given through the several projects performed, we can signify the foundation as the optimal legal form to act as a stimulator, entertainer and manager. 

- Need of stepped implication and participation of the different social agents according to the respective sensibilities.

 - The principles of sustainability are integrated in the actions contemplated in the project, that is to say, that for the consecution of a local objetive the aspects of environment, economic and social development are taken into account.

PV, Spain
42.989625°, -2.618927°