Report on the PGOU modification to expand the open spaces of Olabeaga

The Directorate of the Environmental Administration of the Basque Government, through the resolution of August 6, 2026, has formulated the strategic environmental report for the modification of Bilbao’s PGOU (General Urban Development Plan), to expand the free spaces in the Olabeaga neighborhood. The report was published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV) number 167, on September 2, 2026, with reference 2026/3770, and concluded that the plan will not have a significantly harmful effect on the environment.

Purpose and Scope of the Plan

The modification responds to a request from the Bilbao City Council, which completed the initial request for a simplified evaluation before the Directorate of the Environmental Administration on May 13, 2026. The scope is located in the 8th district of Basurto-Zorroza, at Olabeaga Kaia 22, on a plot of 130.93 m², in the “BZ.06. Olabeaga” area.

The purpose of the plan is to change the classification of that plot from “Open Building Headquarters (a.3)” use to “Local Free Spaces (d.1.2)” use, to connect the Olabeaga quay and San Nikolas de Olabeaga street by foot. These two points have a significant difference in level, nearly 8 meters, and therefore the creation of an accessible path and public free space is proposed.

Building Isolation and Heritage Protection

The plan involves the isolation of the building located on the plot, a ground-floor premises of approximately 40 m², in poor condition and obsolete, and the subsequent urban renewal of the area. This building is attached to the building at Olabeaga Kaia 22, which is protected by the PGOU as it is included in the inventory of Cultural Heritage of Local Interest (level D-1), known as Koopera Etxea.

The removal of the building would allow for the improvement of pedestrian mobility and the enhancement of the protected building, freeing it from the degrading element attached to its facade. For this purpose, the land will be segregated and acquired by the Bilbao City Council from the current owner.

Environmental Conditions and Protective Measures

The resolution establishes several protective and corrective measures to exempt the plan from a standard strategic evaluation. Among them, the following stand out:

• Heritage protection: if any archaeological remains appear during the works, the work must be stopped and the Department of Culture of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia notified; the treatment of the protected building’s facade must be carried out.
• Flood risk: the plot is partially in a flood zone (100 and 500-year return period), and URA – Basque Water Agency has confirmed that the new use is compatible with this risk.
• Public Hydraulic-Maritime Domain: the plot is partially within the DPM-Tren protection service, and the Coastal Law must be complied with.
• Port of Bilbao: the occupation of public port property will require the authorization of the Port Authority of Bilbao.
• Waste management: construction and demolition waste must be managed according to Law 7/2022 and Decree 112/2012 regulations.

Conclusion and Validity

The resolution specifies that, provided the protective measures are met, it is not anticipated that the plans will have any significantly harmful effects and, therefore, they do not need to be subject to an ordinary strategic evaluation. The report has a four-year validity period: if the change to the PGOU is not approved within that period, the procedure must be restarted, according to article 75.5 of the Ley 10/2021 on the Environmental Administration of the Basque Country.

The resolution was signed in Vitoria-Gasteiz by Nicolás García-Borreguero Uribe, Director of the Environmental Administration, and it has been ordered to be notified to the Bilbao City Council. Olabeaga is a neighborhood in the midst of urban transformation, and this change takes a step toward improving the quality of life and pedestrian connectivity of the neighborhood, while preserving the protected heritage.

Fuente: Official Gazette of the Basque Country, number 167, September 2, 2026, Other Provisions section, pp. 1-9 (official reference: 2026/3770).