The Spine

THE SPINE:WEAVING LA LINEA

Urban Design For Borderlands Group 13

A PLACE OF UNREST: WHERE POLITICAL AND ECONOMICAL CONFLICTS MEETS The Strait of Gibraltar, flanked by the Strait of Algeciras, is a historically significant crossroads connecting Europe and Africa. Marked by the iconic Pillars of Hercules, it has played a pivotal role in naval exploration, conquest, and trade, drawing the interests of civilizations like the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, and European powers. The Rock of Gibraltar, strategically located on its northern side, has been a focal point for geopolitical rivalries, reflecting broader Mediterranean dynamics. Today, this region remains vital for maritime connectivity. La Línea de la Concepción, on the Spanish side, shares a complex relationship with Gibraltar, influenced by proximity, leading to economic and social implications, shaped by historical territorial disputes and negotiations. It stands as an intriguing intersection of history and diplomacy.

Malaga

Gibraltar Airport

Alcalà de los Gazules

UK

220,698 Departures 222,911 Arrivals In 2022

SPAIN Abandoned Railways Castellar

San Roque Los Barrios La Linea Conception Daily 2022 10,000

36,000

180

40

Tourist Land Frontier 2022 7,708,300

2,509,800

Gibraltar,UK Algeciras

213,527 Arrivals

to the Marina of Gibraltar in 2022

Tarifa

19 Ferries A day From Algeciras to Ceuta

19 Ferries A day From Ceuta to Algeciras

Up to 30 Ferries A day Algeciras to Tangier

Tanger

Tangier to Algeciras

24 Ferries A day Algeciras to Tangier Md 24 Ferries A day Tangier Md to Algeciras

Ksar es-Seghir

MOROCCO

Ceuta, Spain

SPACES FOR SOCIALITY AND COUNTER-SPACES

Laguna

North of La Linea

Palmones

Guadarranque

Estación de tren Los Barrios

Abandoned Railways Campamento

Port of La Linea La Linea Gibralta Border Gibraltar Airport

Algeciraz Port Bobadilla-Algeciras

Algeciraz Port

Estación de tren Algeciras

Port of Gibraltar

6

2

8

6

2

8

5

6

2

8

5

6

2

8

5

6

2

8

5

6

2

8

2

4

1

6

2

7

8

2

4

1

6

2

7

8

2

4

1

6

2

7

8

Cafe

Cafe 6

Cafe

2

8

Palmones and Surroundings 6

2

Across the port of Algeciras

8

4

2

1

6

2

8

7

Cafe

7

8

8

7

8

1

8

7

8

1

8

7

8

9

1

8

9

1

9

9

Through Guadarranque

Along the beach of Algeciras 1

2

1

9

5

8

8

1

2

1

9

5

8

4

8

1

2

1

9

5

8

4

8

1

2

1

9

5

8

1

2

4

8

1

2

4

1

2

1

2

5

6

8

2

Across the port of La Linea 5

6

Through Campamento The Rock

8

2

Airport

5

6

5

6

LA LINEA Spain

8

2

LA LINEA Spain

8

2

2

4

1

6

2

7

8

2

4

1

6

2

7

8

2

4

LA LINEA Spain

LA LINEA Spain

Palmones and Surroundings

1.Street

1

2.Pedestrian 2

4

6

2

3.Square 1

7

6

7

7

Border

Border

Border

GIBRALTAR United Kingdom

The Rock

Airport

GIBRALTAR United Kingdom Airport

The Rock

GIBRALTAR United Kingdom

The Rock

Airport

GIBRALTAR United Kingdom

Across the Border 8

4.Parking 2

Border

5.Open-space 8

8

6.Bicycle path

7.Beach

8.Sea

9.Indusrty

La Línea de la Concepción, known colloquially as La Línea, stands as a town of architectural intrigue on the southern Spanish coast. Nestled at the border of Gibraltar, this settlement plays a pivotal role in the urban landscape of the region, blending contemporary design and historic influences. Its urban fabric is shaped by the dynamic interactions and connections

with

territory La

the

of

Línea’s

British

Gibraltar.

architectur-

al character reflects its dual role as a gateway and a backdrop for cross-border economic and cultural dynamics.

Moreover,

the

town’s built environment has, over time, provided a tangible stage for diplomatic

discussions

negotiations

and

pertaining

to historical territorial disputes in the area.

Within its architectural fabric, La Línea serves as an emblematic intersection of history, diplomacy, and regional urban design.

PUBLIC SPACES

Political Value

Symbolic Value

Social Value

Public space offers a political stage/forum for representation, dispaly and action.

Space is a symbolic and representative of the collective and of socialbility.

Space affords common ground-for social interaction, intermingiling and communication.

Control

Connection

Estadio Municipal Stadium

01

02

Civility

Princesa Sofía Park

Animation

Plaza de Toros El Arenal

Ownership

Public

Public

Public

-

-

Control

Mixed

Free

Mixed

None

Free

Proximity

Close

Close

Close

Close

Close

Accessibility

16 min

9 min

14 min

19 min

19 min

Thersholds

Blocked

Open

Blocked

Blocked

Open

Maintenance

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Facilities

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Visual Permeability

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Multi

Park

Multi

Ownership

Functionality

Abandoned Abandoned

THRESHOLDS OF CONCEPT APPROACH

Connections The Disconnect: With public transport provided only along the South-west.The city has become dependent on private modes of movement.

This lack has also resulted in network of neglected spaces along the east and the north.

Transport Mapping The Connections: Even though the east shore has an unobstructed access and view to the water, not many people use it. The reason being the lack of supporting infrastructure, and the poor connection to the city center and the west.

Density Mapping The Extent: With all main functions concentrated along southern border region. The density of use and traffic is higher in the core and border zone and it reduces as we move out creating a potential development area up North.

High

Low Medium

5 MIN

10 MIN

5 MIN 5 MIN 10 MIN

10 MIN 10 MIN

5 MIN 5 MIN

5 MIN 10 MIN 10 MIN

5 MIN

10 MIN

10 MIN

5 MIN

10 MIN 5 MIN

Mobility Train

Bike & Pedestrian

Green Boulevard

Green Park

Green Way Green Way

Green Infrastructure

Bus

Strategy Plan

The Spine is a transformative force, reshaping La Linea by countering the impact of the Gibraltar Border

and creating

a central nexus in the North Expansion. This metaphorical and tangible spine, empowered by a railway network, turns the North into a catalyst for change, revitalizing spaces and strengthening the existing and building new metropolitan hubs. It tells a story of connectivity and resilience, reshaping the city by weaving connections between East and West and North and South. The Northern Catalyst counterbalances the border, fostering collaboration and connectivity, amplifying accessibility within the Bay and Spain, and revitalizing existing infrastructure. The strategic urban plan positions La Linea as the Cultural and Sports hub of the Bay, committing to community pride. The urban corridor, merging east-west and north-south axes, optimizes infrastructure and green pathways. Strategic nodes for gastronomy, ecology, and culture, enriches the evolving cityscape, fostering interconnectedness in a holistic vision.

Abandoned Train Station

Allocating sport facilities

Proposed new location for the cruise port �

Allocating the proposed high-tech project to the northern part of the city

Current Conditions

GREEN!

ABANDON SPACES!

CARS EVERYWHERE

SEPERATION

FENCES!

NO PROPER INFRASTRUCTURE

LAYERS OF THE SPINE

WHAT LA LINEA IS WAITING FOR!

TRAIN CONNECTION

ACCESSIBILITY INDEPENDENCE FROM GIBRALTAR

TRANSFORMATION!

Approach Following the narrative to seamlessly merge eastwest and north-south axes, an urban corridor and verdant infiltration enhances the cityscape, optimizing existing infrastructure and green pathways.

The railway, a pivotal transport node, anchors the western side, complemented by an adjacent gastronomy node for a fluid transition. Progressing eastward, the transport node transforms into an ecological hub, harmonizing urban development with sustainability. Through the innovation center’s southward expansion, the corridor converges into a nexus of cutting-edge initiatives.

The green infiltration pairs with a cultural node, strategically connecting interventions with the city fabric. Next to the hospital, a priority medical center links seamlessly to a residential area for both healthcare and the broader urban community. This strategic urban plan weaves innovation, culture, and ecology into the evolving cityscape.

The seamless integration of the east-west and north-south axes in this urban corridor is further enriched by the synergy between existing infrastructure and verdant pathways.

This strategic urban plan unfolds as a holistic vision, elevating the evolving cityscape to new heights of interconnectedness and vibrancy.

GREEN INFILTRATION

RESIDENTIAL

UNIVERSITY

RAILWAY

CULTURE

ECOLOGICAL

TRANSPORTATION

EAST- WEST CORRIDOR GASTRONOMY

HOSPITAL BOULEVARD

NORTH- SOUTH CORRIDOR UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY PRODUCTION

URBAN CORRIDOR

Phase 1

GREEN INFILTRATION

RESIDENTIAL

UNIVERSITY RAILWAY

CULTURE

ECOLOGICAL

TRANSPORTATION

EAST- WEST CORRIDOR GASTRONOMY

HOSPITAL BOULEVARD

NORTH- SOUTH CORRIDOR UNIVERSITY GREEN INFILTRATION

PRODUCTION

URBAN CORRIDOR RESIDENTIAL

UNIVERSITY RAILWAY

CULTURE

Phase 2

ECOLOGICAL

TRANSPORTATION

EAST- WEST CORRIDOR GASTRONOMY

HOSPITAL BOULEVARD

NORTH- SOUTH CORRIDOR UNIVERSITY PRODUCTION

URBAN CORRIDOR PRODUCTION

Phase 3

Station,Gastronmy and University

Innovation,Greens and Cultural

University and residential

Proposed Master Plan

Green Infiltration and the Boulevard

Residential Cluster

Urban Internal Corridor

Unersity and the internal corridor merging into one!

Zoomed in Master Plan Concept The train station maximizes the elevated abandoned railway track, raised 3m above its surroundings.

This design provides the first view of La Linea and the Rock upon arrival. The ground floor serves a mixed-use purpose, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

The Piazza in front guides visitors to both the new intervention and the city center through the pedestrian spines.To the East lies the innovation center while on its west the railway lads to gastronmy area which acts both as a buffer nad as a cohesion force between the exisiting residential area in the surrounding and the influx from the Railway. To its South, a technical university is proposed which will be served by the innovation center and the existing small scale metal manufacturing industries on its Eastern edge. These industries will slowly be infiltrated with greens from the Hill which will also serve the exisiting metropolitan hub, Hospital, of La linea. This slow infiltration and phases of change will allow the new intervention to blend in with the exisiting cityscape of La linea.

The Railway Plaza

Innovation center

Perspective Section