Final approval of the Special Urban Development Plan for AU 11 "Amue" in Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa

Last March, the Special Urban Development Plan for A.U.11 "Amue" in Azpeitia, promoted by the Town Council itself, was finally approved (B.O.G. No. 65 of 04/04/2024).

The Amue area covers an area of more than 22 acres, seventeen of which are currently occupied by obsolete industrial buildings of the former Corrugados Azpeitia plant, and the rest by land belonging to the Franciscan Convent. Its development envisages a total reconversion of the area from a degraded industrial zone to a new urban space, where the construction of 468 dwellings, commercial spaces and facilities is foreseen.

The new residential buildings are arranged in three blocks that form open blocks, generating generous living spaces that will encourage relations between neighbours. The tertiary building acts as a transition element between the convent building and the residential building. All the buildings lean against the new road, creating a sense of continuity.

One of the objectives of the Special Plan is the regeneration of the right bank of the river Ibaieder, currently channelled, as a result of the extreme occupation conditions of the industrial activity. The regeneration of the river, the planned riverside promenade and the opening up of large green spaces will allow the people of Azpeitia to reconnect with the river and enjoy spaces that until now were totally inaccessible despite their great centrality, and will alleviate to a large extent the problems of flooding suffered by the municipality.

The Special Plan also promotes the value of the convent building, which is currently completely walled up, hiding the valuable free space inside it, and which the proposed development opens up for the enjoyment of the public. In this way, the value of the convent building itself is also enhanced, which gains prominence by becoming the façade of the new park (a façade that cannot be seen today will be visible).