Logroño
Railway Integration Project in the City of Logroño
DURATION: Ongoing since 2004
POPULATION: 150.845 (Growth rate 0,06%)
TOPICS: URBAN REGENERATION, CONNECTIVITY INTEGRATION, ECO-FRIENDLY
URA SCOPE: ECOLOGY. Green Urbanism, STRATEGY. Shared Vision
MAIN ACTORS:Logroño Integración del Ferrocarril 2002 S.A
In Logroño, a city steeped in history and tradition, a bold vision began to take shape. The public company Logroño Integración del Ferrocarril 2002 S.A. (LIF 2002) embarked on a transformative journey, driven by a single, ambitious goal: to mend the urban fabric severed by decades of railway infrastructure. At the heart of this vision lay the land once dominated by the city’s old railway crossing and station—a place that had long been inaccessible to its citizens.
The story began in 2004, with an international design competition launched by LIF 2002. The challenge? To reimagine the integration of the railway line into the city’s urban landscape. The winning proposal did not merely address logistics or technicalities; it dreamt bigger. It envisioned the regeneration of 20 hectares into an energetic, interconnected space—a green belt weaving together the north, south, east, and west of Logroño, erasing boundaries and reconnecting communities.
This ambitious plan introduced an urban park atop the stations, transforming their roofs into a dynamic hub for a burgeoning eco-neighbourhood. The project’s creators committed to staying within financial and architectural bounds, ensuring the design respected both the city’s character and the expectations cultivated by prior studies.
The new stations emerged as architectural marvels, not just functional nodes of intermodal transport but as cultural and social landmarks. Inspired by La Rioja’s iconic wineries, the stations were conceptualized as “public grottoes,” linked by a vast dome stretching 60 meters. This monumental structure became a gateway to Logroño—a threshold that welcomed visitors while seamlessly connecting the city’s north and south.
Yet, the vision extended beyond mere transportation. The stations became more than iconic structures; they evolved into memorable urban events. The rooftop “hill” offered breathtaking views of the city and its natural surroundings, becoming a space where social interactions flourished. Here, the past met the future, and the city’s natural beauty and urban innovation coexisted harmoniously. The unification of train and bus stations under one cohesive design transformed the area into a pedestrian-friendly sanctuary. The project’s sweeping gesture created a single, fluid space that bridged the city’s social divides and reshaped its urban topography.
Today, this project stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design and the potential of cities to heal and grow. More than infrastructure; a promise of a greener, more connected future.
Challenge & Context
In cities like Logroño, the presence of outdated and deteriorated infrastructure, such as disused train tracks and abandoned railway lands, poses a significant challenge to urban development. These neglected spaces, often left inaccessible and unused, create physical and social barriers that fracture the city’s continuity. Neighbourhoods like Cascajos, once vibrant, suffered from isolation as the railway line built in 1958 severed north-south connections and hindered their growth.
Over time, the areas surrounding these infrastructures became neglected voids, fostering urban decay and limiting opportunities for redevelopment. The disconnection not only affected the mobility of residents but also undermined the potential for social cohesion, economic activity, and environmental improvements. The sheer scale of these inaccessible lands—spanning 20 hectares in Logroño—underscored the magnitude of the problem.
The challenge was not merely technical but also social and environmental: how to reintegrate these neglected spaces into the urban fabric, restore connectivity, and address the scars left by decades of division. This issue called for a comprehensive approach to transform these voids into vibrant, accessible, and sustainable parts of the city while balancing the needs of the community and the constraints of urban planning.
Solution Proposed
The public company Logroño Integración del Ferrocarril 2002 S.A. (LIF 2002) was entrusted with an ambitious mission: to transform the urban landscape of Logroño by managing the redevelopment of land freed by the undergrounding of the railway line, as outlined in the “Informative Study on the Railway Integration Project in the city of Logroño.” This transformative project aimed to eliminate the physical and social barriers imposed by the railway, reconnecting the city’s fragmented urban fabric.
Guided by the city’s general planning code, the project set forth clear objectives: to restore continuity in the urban and social structure, create seamless connections to the new intermodal station, and design an integrated road and transport system that supports future growth. Vacant land was repurposed to foster southward expansion, while free spaces, parking, and residential areas were planned to meet community needs and ensure cohesion.
The core vision—regenerating 20 hectares of previously inaccessible urban land—has been realized through meticulous planning and phased implementation. Phase 1, the most extensive and impactful, is nearing completion after a €170 million investment. It has redefined the area with modern infrastructure, new residential zones, and a dynamic intermodal hub, seamlessly connecting pedestrian, road, and public transport systems.
Impact
The 1958 railway line was a pivotal development for Logroño, but it left a legacy as a barrier that divided the city, isolating the Cascajos district and severely impeding its growth. Over the past two decades, transformative initiatives have successfully dismantled this urban and social rift, reshaping Logroño into a more connected and livelier city. Among the key accomplishments is the removal of a 1.5 km railway barrier, which has revitalized the link between Cascajos and the city centre, fostering essential integration.
The creation of a regional intermodal transport hub, featuring modern railway and bus stations, has significantly enhanced Logroño’s connectivity, making it more accessible than ever. An impressive dome now stands as an iconic urban gateway, inviting both residents and visitors to experience the city’s evolution. Central to this transformation is a remarkable 75,000 m² park located atop the stations, designed as a Nature-Based Solution. Utilizing local groundwater, the park implements Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), effectively acting as an urban sponge that captures and reuses rainwater in a circular irrigation system. Its beautifully landscaped roofs not only combat the heat island effect but also elevate sustainability, positively influencing the urban microclimate.
These innovative initiatives have dramatically improved Logroño’s urban landscape and elevated the quality of life for its residents.
The project’s unwavering commitment to sustainability earned it the esteemed BREEAM «Urbanismo» certification in 2022. Moreover, the architectural brilliance of the train station project and Felipe VI Park garnered recognition by being shortlisted for the Mies van der Rohe awards in 2013 and 2015.
This comprehensive vision of integration showcases a remarkable harmony between urban regeneration, environmental stewardship, and architectural ingenuity, establishing a new benchmark for future urban development. By transforming the railway’s divisive legacy into a unifying element, Logroño has crafted a connected, forward-thinking urban landscape that serves as a model of sustainability and enhances the quality of life for its residents.
It is not just a transformation; it is a blueprint for thriving cities of tomorrow.
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