RECENT TOURS > Biotechnology and IT Convergence Boston, USA, Oct 05 > Creativity & Clusters Manchester, UK, Oct 05 > Sustainable Cities Barcelona, Spain, Nov 05 > Urban Regeneration Bilbao, Spain, Nov 05 > Full tour list |
CULTURAL REGENERATION    
Government Office North West selected Inspire Nation to develop a bespoke tour to study best practice in cultural regeneration. The study tour took local government officials, consultants, and experts from northwest business, transport and museums to Bilbao in Northern Spain – a city that has been transformed from an industrial wasteland to one of Spain’s most popular and cultured cities. Delegates met with top executives from Bilbao’s Culture and Arts sectors, and with port development and waterfront development officials. The tour team were also taken on a tour of some of Bilbao’s most exciting projects. Architect Frank Gehry's stunning Museo Guggenheim, Norman Foster's sleek subway system, the tram, the airport and the glass Santiago Calatrava footbridge, which allows pedestrians to all but walk on water, have all helped foment a cultural revolution in the Basque Country's commercial capital. “Bilbao is an irrefutable example of how culture can be a key factor in economic development strategy. As well as stimulating tourism to an area, culture can influence where businesses choose to locate themselves. Cultural activity activates the service sector, and has a wide range of positive knock-on effects.” Juan Ignacio Vidarte, Director General of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. |