Los Arguments against this project referring to the expansion of the Guggenheim Museum are so overwhelming and evident That seems incredible to have to explain them repeatedly, but, once again, it is necessary to remember some obvious, and also certain issues that are not talked about so much, but that are equally relevant.
Urdaibai is not just any place: It is the only reserve of the Baskadi biosphere and treasures exceptional biodiversity. Its marshes and forests are refuge of numerous protected species, including migratory birds, and due to its high ecological value accumulates several environmental protection figures at the regional, state and international level.
However, paradoxically, it is In this maximum protection enclave where a museum macroproject is intended to lift. As much as you want to dress sustainable, the ecological impact would be inevitable: the construction and mass influx of visitors would threaten the balance of already fragile ecosystems, with clear effects on local flora and fauna and the quality of the water of the estuary.
Or the Guggenheim Museum is expanded or the Urdaibai reserve is protected
On the eve that they look at Arzalluz assumes the direction of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Greenpeace asks you to reconsider the extension project in which it is The only reservation of the Baskadi Biosphere and that treasures exceptional biodiversity. Its marshes and forests are refuge of numerous protected species, including migratory birds, and, due to its high ecological value, accumulates several environmental protection figures at the regional, state and international level.
The environmental organization asks the new director, the Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia to Desist from this project in the place where it is currently raised. The work would consist of two venues and a catwalk between them.
The building that is intended to be installed in Murueta would take another step in the Violation of the core of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, the most valuable and needed area of effective protection. Likewise, the catwalk is serious risks, since it would cross priority habitats of endangered species, such as European mink.
“There is no justification for the museum to have to Have buildings that cross the core of the Biosphere Reservewhich should be restored and devoted almost exclusively to the conservation of biodiversity. Everyone’s eyes will look at the new Guggenheim.
The extension cannot be an apex of destruction of the most special and unique space of the meager 24 % of the Basque territory, which enjoys strict protection: The deterioration of a vital ecosystem and Guggenheim’s own reputation is at stake. Culture and nature must go hand in hand. Without nature, there is no culture”, Lorea Flores Compins, Coordinator of the NGO in Euskadi has declared.
The museum’s sustainability strategy speaks of its great environmental commitment, so it is surprising that you want to move forward with a project that, according to the information that is known, will destroy biodiversity: “From this environmental group we hope that A new direction of the museum opens the opportunity to stop and rethink this project that, in a situation of acute loss of biodiversity and climate crisis, can be considered outdated and destructive of nature, and clearly disconnected from reality ”, Flores continue.
In addition, they consider that the Basque Government and the Provincial Guggenheimessential for it to be done. For the organization, it is priority that the project goes to public exposure in its entirety, in order to carry out the strategic environmental evaluation of the entire complex.
“Elixabete Etxanobe, general deputy of Bizkaia, says that he will not miss his word and that the project will get ahead yes or yes, while trying to remove importance from the opposition of the region. This indicates that this The listening process, promoted by the Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, is nothing more than a face washing, since whatever comes out will not be binding, ” Analyze flowers.
Guggenheim Urdaibai: a project that nobody wants
Given Etxanobe’s statements that “there is no majority opposition,” the reality is that The project has a wide rejection, As shown in the creation of the platform Guggenheim Urdaibai Stop (which brings together 400 entities), the Zain Dezagun Urdaibai collective, the mass demonstrations, the multiple resources to normative modifications, the statements of the mayors and mayors of the area and the protests of the main environmental organizations of the Spanish State.
Today, The request To stop the Expansion project of the Guggenheim Museum it has almost 22,000 signatures, What far exceeds 1,000 people who will probe the listening process Active of the Basque Government.
Likewise, the organization considers that The ministerial order granted to reduce the protection strip of the maritime-terrestrial public domain from 100 to 20 meters is what is called “power deviation”: The Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (Miterd) should ensure the protection of nature; However, it is using its position to facilitate the destruction of this natural jewel in favor of museum’s private interests Guggenheim, Something that the NGO has already denounced before justice.
In the opposite direction, the NGO asks the miterd to Include the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve in a priority manner in the National Restoration Plan, following the provisions of the European Regulation of the Restoration of Nature. This regulation establishes the objectives of restoring at least 20 % of the land and sea areas of the European Union from here to 2030 and all the ecosystems that need restoration from here to 2050.