The session highlighted the building’s strategic role within the urban fabric and its strong potential to become a catalyst project for sustainable urban regeneration. 

The site was presented as an opportunity to advance the regeneration of the city centre through a climate-aligned transformation of underused heritage assets, strengthening Portugalete’s integration into broader metropolitan regeneration dynamics across the Bilbao area.

The presentation also situated Portugalete within a global network of cities committed to climate action-driven urban transformation, focusing on the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, the reduction of embodied carbon, and the creation of inclusive, resilient, and low-carbon urban environments.

Representatives outlined the competition timeline and phases, and showcased reference projects from cities such as Madrid, Milan, and Montreal, illustrating how similar initiatives have successfully unlocked value from underutilised assets while delivering social, environmental, and economic co-benefits.

Overall, the initiative was framed as a strategic opportunity to attract investment, innovation, and multidisciplinary expertise, positioning one of Portugalete’s most emblematic historic buildings as a potential driver of a regenerative and climate-positive urban transition.

Watch the recording

Invitation

SURPOSA and the Municipality of Portugalete, in collaboration with C40 Cities, invite institutional representatives, urban stakeholders, technical teams and potential partners to the Bilbao Meet-up Event: Ancient Food Market Competition Launch Event.

The session will introduce the strategic vision for the regeneration of the former market building and its role within the metropolitan framework of Bilbao 2050.

Participants will learn more about the Reinventing Cities competition framework, including its sustainability and climate neutrality approach, evaluation criteria and competition timeline. 

Event details

Date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Time: 11:00–13:00 CET
Location: Santa Clara Cultural Centre, Portugalete
Format: Hybrid (in-person and online streaming)

Programme highlights

• Institutional opening by the Mayor of Portugalete
• Presentation of the Bilbao Metropoli 30 strategic framework
• Reinventing Cities presentation
• Presentation of the Portugalete Market Building site
• Questions and answers session
• Guided site visit
• Closing cocktail