‘Bero-uharteak- Heat Islands’ in Bilbao     

International Ideas Contest for students and young architects *

BIA Urban Regeneration Forum has launched the IV International Ideas Contest for students and young architects to promote the urban transformation and regeneration of the consolidated city.

The purpose of the Ideas Contest is the entries to put forward solutions for the problems linked to heat islands in the city of Bilbao.

Heat islands occur when the temperature in the urban areas is significantly higher than the outskirts or surrounding rural areas, particularly at night. This difference in temperature can easily be five degrees higher under certain conditions. The consequences of this phenomenon go far beyond heat discomfort; it directly affects health, air quality, energy consumption, urban biodiversity and social equity.

The sphere of action covers the 8 main districts of the city of Bilbao: Deusto, Uribarri, Otxarkoaga/Txurdinaga, Begoña, Ibaiondo, Abando, Rekalde and Basurto/Zorroza; contestants should select one specific zone from the districts, a specific district or propose interventions that may be applicable to all of them.

* The Contest is open to architecture students or recent graduates (no more than 2 years between the date of graduating and the contest deadline).

Entries may be submitted until 12 midnight on 30 April 2026 (local time)

Oinezkoa. David Tijero Osorio.  First award PHOTO-BIA V Edition

JURY VERDICT

Bilbao, 19 May 2026

As regards the Bero-uharteak – Heat Islands Contest in Bilbao, run as part of the VII BIA Urban Regeneration Forum, the Jury, composed of:

  • Jose María Gonzalez Pinto. COAVN Dean
  • Pablo Nistal Curto. COAVN Bizkaia Chair
  • Pablo Isusi Aburto. Deputy Director of Quality of Life and Sustainability, Services and Public Works Area, Bilbao City Council.
  • Ms. Esther San Martin. COAVN Bizkaia Approval Oversight Member
  • José Antonio García Ares. Architect and Partner at Foster + Partners
  • Ms. María Pia Fontana. Founding partner at mayorga+fontana arquitectura. Professor of Architectural Projects – UPC
  • Miguel Mayorga Founding partner at mayorga+fontana arquitectura. Professor of Urban Planning – UPC
  • Ms. Esperanza Marrodán. Phd Architecture. Professor at the Department of Theory, Project and Urban Planning at the Architecture Faculty of the UNAV: Urban design, renewal and landscaping.
  • Ms. Arantzazu Luzarraga. PhD in Architecture and landscaper, professor and researcher at the School of Architect – EHU

Has proceeded to declare the contest prizes null and void as its considers that none of the works are of sufficient quality, as per Point I) of the contest terms and conditions. We would like to thank the contestants for their interest in the theme of BIA KLIMA 2.0 and hope they will take part in future BIA activities.


The participation period has ended.

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