Why was the Guggenheim Urdaibai project canceled?

The project was canceled due to territorial, urban planning, and environmental constraints, as well as significant opposition from environmental groups and local campaigners.

What is the Urdaibai biosphere reserve?

Urdaibai is a 22,068-hectare site in the Basque Country declared a biosphere reserve by Unesco in 1984, vital for local wildlife and migrating birds.

Which organizations opposed the Guggenheim expansion?

Organizations such as Greenpeace, WWF, Ecologists in Action, Friends of the Earth, and SEO/BirdLife opposed the Guggenheim's expansion into Urdaibai.

Home / Environment / Guggenheim's Urdaibai Dream Crumbles

Guggenheim's Urdaibai Dream Crumbles

18 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Guggenheim abandoned plans for a new museum outpost in Urdaibai.
The site is a vital Unesco biosphere reserve for wildlife.
Campaigners celebrated the victory for nature conservation.

Environmental groups and local campaigners in the Basque Country are celebrating the definitive cancellation of a controversial plan to establish an outpost of the Guggenheim Museum within the Urdaibai biosphere reserve. This significant natural area is a crucial habitat for diverse wildlife and migratory birds.

The project, supported by the Guggenheim Foundation and regional authorities, was intended to boost local economies and cultural offerings. However, opponents successfully argued that the development posed a severe threat to the 22,068-hectare Urdaibai reserve, a designation it received from Unesco in 1984.

In light of the strong opposition and identified environmental and planning obstacles, the Guggenheim Foundation announced the project's termination. While seeking new avenues for institutional growth, this decision marks a victory for conservation efforts, safeguarding Urdaibai's unique ecological value against cultural expansion.