The proposed Guggenheim museum expansion in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve has officially been cancelled. After a two-year feasibility and reflection process, the project’s board decided not to move forward, citing unresolved environmental, legal, technical, and social challenges. This decision marks an important moment for the protection of Urdaibai, the Basque Country’s only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a critical wetland for biodiversity and migratory waterbirds.

Urdaibai hosts highly sensitive coastal and estuarine ecosystems and plays a key role along major migratory flyways. Throughout the process, scientists, environmental organisations, and local communities raised strong concerns about the potential impacts of large-scale infrastructure in this protected area. The outcome reaffirms the importance of science-based planning, transparent governance, and respect for international conservation frameworks in biosphere reserves.

We warmly thank all organisations that supported the Urdaibai Red Alert through joint letters and contributions, as well as the scientists who stood together behind the international manifesto. This collective mobilisation—driven by the Guggenheim Urdaibai Stop Platform and supported by a broad alliance of actors—demonstrates how coordinated action can help safeguard wetlands and uphold the integrity of protected areas.

For more information:
The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/bilbao-guggenheim-extension-scrapped-3jdz9plwr
El Pais: https://elpais.com/cultura/2025-12-16/las-instituciones-vascas-deciden-poner-fin-al-guggenheim-en-urdaibai.html
El Diario: https://www.eldiario.es/euskadi/no-habra-guggenheim-urdaibai-patronato-decidido-no-seguir-adelante_1_12850315.html

Author: Yasmina