Bilbao

Bilbao’s flag

A few things about Bilbao

• Bilbo in Basque language• Capital of the province of Biscay in

the autonomous community of the Basque Country

• 10th largest city in Spain.• Founded: 15/6/1300• Population (2013): 367.890

The Bilbao Effect

• Bilbao effect: the targeted enhancement of a landscape through new and spectacular buildings.

• Bilbao is a clear case of success and a model of the application of the practice of city branding.

• A city that managed to transform its gloomy past into a brilliant future.

The story of Bilbao

• 1850: first blast furnace was constructed in Bilbao. • The economy of Bilbao was focused on the iron

and steel industry and ship building. • Severely damaged during the industrial crisis of

1975.• Severe flooding of 1983• Threat of 30% unemployment • The “do or die situation” led to the decision of the

metamorphosis of the city.

The story of Bilbao

• Improvement of exterior accessibility and interior mobility.

• Regeneration of environment and urban quality.• Investing in human resources and in technology

innovation.• The city by the beginning of 90’s has nothing to do

with Bilbao at present• A cultural, cosmopolitan, open, modern and

contemporary city, where tradition and innovation coexist.

The Guggenheim Museum

• Designed by Frank O. Gehry.• An international symbol of modernity and urban

regeneration and the icon of Bilbao.• “The Guggenheim effect”• early 1990’s: the importance of a project that would

become an economic and cultural engine, which would revitalize the city of Bilbao.

• On 23rd October 1993 the Museum’s construction started. • On 19th October 1997, the Museum’s official public

unveiling took place.

Bilbao Links

• http://www.bilbaointernational.com/en/• http://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/t

ourists• http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/en/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbao

Social Media• http://instagram.com/bilbaointern• https://www.youtube.com/user/Bilbomedia• https://www.facebook.com/Bilbo.Bilbao?fref=ts

Bibliography

• Bilbao international http://www.bilbaointernational.com/en/

• http://www.rockwool.no/inspirasjon/innovative+architecture/branding+bilbao

• http://www.citymayors.com/marketing/city-branding.html

• http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/branding-bilbao-a-cultural-investment-that-paid-off-43245/

• http://bilbaomemata.com/2013/01/21/sobre-la-marca-bilbao/

• http://destino-puntadeleste.com/citymarketing-bilbao-la-transformacion-fascinante/

Bilbao: The Fascinating Transformation

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQZ1FHLFF8U