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The Opengela network of neighbourhood offices, led by the Basque Government’s Department of Housing and Urban Agenda, continues to strengthen its presence in the Basque Country with the opening of new offices in Zurbaran-Arabella (Bilbao), Osintxu (Bergara) and Mendelu (Hondarribia), areas where residential refurbishment and urban regeneration play a strategic role in improving citizens’ quality of life and moving towards more accessible, efficient and socially cohesive neighbourhoods.
In Bilbao, the new ‘opengela’ will operate in two neighbourhoods, Zurbaran and Arabella, located in the district of Uribarri. The office will focus in particular on 134 buildings comprising 1,739 homes considered a priority due to their need for improvements in accessibility and energy efficiency, although the regeneration programme covers a total of 719 buildings and more than 12,000 homes across the district.
The challenging terrain of these neighbourhoods, which affects connections with other parts of the city and makes day-to-day access difficult, makes the neighbourhood office a key tool for bringing technical and administrative support closer to local communities. The aim is to facilitate regeneration processes through a local, ongoing service tailored to the needs of each community.
The ‘opengela’ in Osintxu, Bergara, has also begun its work, and will be driving the renovation of 12 house numbers and 102 homes. This is a neighbourhood that has undergone significant social and urban transformation since the industrialisation of the 20th century, resulting in a highly diverse residential area where newer buildings stand alongside older properties in need of extensive renovation.
To support the project’s development and strengthen ties with the local community, the former Txuringo bar-restaurant has been transformed into the project’s headquarters. Located next to the neighbourhood square, the premises will enable the project to centralise its support for local residents and coordinate the various initiatives linked to the urban regeneration process.
Meanwhile, in Mendelu, Hondarribia, the project is being carried out across various residential areas of the neighbourhood, combining different building types and distinct local contexts. The initiative covers areas such as Mugondo, Planetas, Caseríos, Sauraenea, San Isidro and Eskapatxulo, enabling a comprehensive approach to the local housing stock. The office, located in the Mendelu Enea complex, provides local and ongoing support to residents, working alongside neighbourhood communities on the processes of renovation, improving accessibility and enhancing the energy efficiency of homes.
Offices closed following the completion of refurbishment and regeneration works
Alongside these new openings, several offices have recently ceased operations following the completion of the renovation and urban regeneration projects for which they were established.
This is the case for the offices in Andonaegi (Pasaia), Txarama (Leaburu), Beraun (Errenteria) and Aramotz (Durango), which are closing following the completion of the support processes for local communities and the successful conclusion of the planned initiatives in each of these areas.
These closures reflect the temporary and community-focused nature of the Opengela model, which is designed to address the specific needs of each neighbourhood during the course of urban regeneration projects, from the initial information and engagement phases through to the execution of the works and the completion of the regeneration processes.
