The rejuvenation of Olite, Navarra, begins and ends with the concept of building on the strengths of this compact city. Olite is dense and walkable, with intact neighborhoods comprised of historic architecture characteristic of the region. It is a significant destination for tourists who visit the town for its many festivals and the authentically restored Palacio Real, the jewel in the city’s crown. The city has already undergone significant regeneration, with beautifully renovated plazas near and around the Palacio and a well-designed and coherent program to exclude automobiles from the city center.

We propose the next phase to build on the good work that has come before and extend redevelopment toward the southern and eastern portions of the city to provide more options to stroll, live, shop, and be entertained. This is intended for the enjoyment of visitors, but more importantly, for the inhabitants of Olite to maintain the viability of an authentic town and not just a tourist destination. We believe our proposal deepens the visitor experience without sacrificing the needs of the people who make Olite their home.

One component of the regeneration scheme is the continuation of the design development of the landscape improvements on the city’s east side. We looked at this comprehensively and proposed that it could be developed as a promenade, accessible from the city center and key nodes from the perimeter road. The landscaped approach to the city currently ends at the northern gates and is unresolved as the city edge moves towards the south.

Our design proposal would continue planting more cypress trees and olives and developing a footpath that would activate this area. The intent is to link this footpath as well with the newly regenerated Plaza de la Rueda at the center of the city’s edge. Accessibility is essential for allowing the very young, mothers with strollers, the elderly, and the disabled to access all of the new footpaths.