In 1957, Valencia experienced a devastating flood of the Turia river.
The reaction of the locals was a futuristic plan to divert the river around the Western outskirts of the city to the Mediterranean sea so they will avoid any future phenomena with risky results like this (75%of the city was flooded and nearly 60 people lost their lives).
As a result, the old river became a dry river starting from the West part of the city to the East in the Mediterranean Sea. As the diversion was finalised in 1969 there were plenty of disputes between citizens and management of the city as for what to do with that space that used to be a river.
The environmental ideas were advancing after the disputes and nowadays someone can enjoy a huge green park, natural breath inside a busy city. Bicycling ways, running and exercising areas, open gyms and football stadiums, gardens and trees, museums and theatres and plenty of other activities.
Architect Calatrava was the last one to put a piece in this human inspiration and made his little architecture miracle, creating the biomorphic city including a Science museum, a theatre known as Hemispheric Theatre and an amazing oceanarium park the Oceanographic(with flamingos and penguins as well:)). The biomorphic city adorns the East part of the city and is surrounded by a built sea-like water area.
Thank you, Valencia.
The Purpose 