When the course of the river Turia through Valencia was diverted to
prevent the floods that periodically affected the city, a substantial
strip of land was left that crosses the city from west to east,
encompassing the historical centre. Intervention here required an
in-depth urbanistic analysis that considered the course of the Turia as a
structuring unit of the urban complex. The project was therefore
global, although not necessarily uniform. The landscaping design retains
water at key points to recall the former presence of the river. The
garden is based on geometrical figures that
from the central longitudinal axis define the different zones and
organize space and itineraries. The different precincts defined by this
geometry and surrounded by vegetation have been treated in several ways:
monumental public space, botanical gardens, sports facilities and so
forth. Sections X and XI, by the Taller de Arquitectura, are based on
the original idea and developed within the restrictions of a tight
budget. The result is one of the city's most attractive areas.
program: design of an urban park with plantations, fountains and ponds, a botanical garden, and sports and cultural facilities.