Turning Disaster Into Opportunity

Brian Phelps reports on the power of urban landscaping to revitalize a flood-devastated city - Valencia, Spain.

2 minute read

July 4, 2012, 9:00 AM PDT

By Emily Williams


An exquisite example of transforming a disaster into an opportunity, Valencia's lush landscaped sanctuary known as Jardín del Turia, or Green River, took the place of what once was the Turia River after a devastating flood rocked the city in 1957. Citing Rahm Emanuel, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste."

The idea for the Green River was born after the city re-routed the river to the west, leaving traces of old riverbeds and open space behind. When the city proposed to develop highways there, locals demanded that they build a park instead, and Plan Sur was created. The parks were completed in 1969 and include over 450 acres of land spanning through the lengths of the old riverbed. Each section of green space is a brilliant testament to the city's culture, with distinct designs "ranging from Ricardo Bofill's formal gardens with modern touches, built in 1986; and Calatrava's biomorphic City of Arts and Sciences, completed in 1998; to the sinuous landforms of Header Park by Eduardo de Miguel Rabones, Blake Muñoz Criado, and Vicente Corell Farinós, completed in 2004."

This type of environmental intervention seems to have worked for Valencia in the past, but, Phelps wonders, is this manner of flood control workable today? "Despite the apparent success of Plan Sur in preventing flooding, the long-term impact of diverting the Turia River is unknown," he writes. However, giving credit where it is due, Phelps adds that "Born out of a crisis, Valencia has managed to integrate a recreational and transportation infrastructure network with its historic heart and surrounding neighborhoods."

Saturday, June 30, 2012 in Metropolis

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.