Valencia Turned a River into a Park: How the Turia Gardens Protect the City from Flooding
09.06.2025
On October 14, 1957, Valencia endured one of the worst natural disasters in its history. Following several days of torrential rain, the Turia River burst its banks twice in a single day, submerging up to three-quarters of the city. Water reached the second floors of buildings, and the city was left without electricity, gas, or running water.
The catastrophic flood claimed at least 81 lives, though some unofficial estimates suggest the actual death toll may have been closer to 300. Known as the “Great Flood of Valencia,” this tragedy compelled authorities to pursue a bold and lasting solution to protect the city from future floods.
Valencia During the Catastrophic 1957 Flood. The disaster claimed the lives of over 80 residents and devastated a significant portion of the city.
A New Riverbed: The City’s Rescue Plan
Just one year after the tragedy, the Spanish government approved an ambitious initiative known as Plan Sur (“The Southern Plan”), designed to reroute the Turia River away from the city. By 1969, a new riverbed — 12 kilometers long and up to 175 meters wide — had been excavated along the southern edge of Valencia. The Turia’s waters were diverted into this artificial channel, keeping the city center safe from future floods.
The original plan was to fill in the old riverbed and construct a highway to alleviate traffic congestion and connect the city center with the port and the airport.
However, the people of Valencia strongly opposed the idea of turning the former river valley into a concrete expressway. They launched a powerful public campaign under the slogan: “The Turia’s riverbed is ours, and we want it green” (Valencian: “El llit del Túria és nostre i el volem verd”).
In response to growing public pressure, the government abandoned the highway project in 1976. King Juan Carlos I issued a decree transferring the old riverbed to the city, paving the way for the creation of a green park. Architect Ricardo Bofill developed a master plan that envisioned dividing the entire 10-kilometer space into themed recreational zones.
Construction of the park progressed throughout the 1980s, and in 1986, a truly unique public space — the Turia Gardens — officially opened.
The Turia Gardens: The Green Heart and Guardian of Valencia
Today, the former riverbed has been transformed into one of the largest urban parks in Europe — the Turia Gardens, spanning more than 130 hectares and stretching approximately 9 to 10 kilometers through the city. This green ribbon connects Valencia’s historic center with its modern neighborhoods.
The park is a model of multifunctional urban infrastructure. It includes walking and cycling paths, sports facilities (football fields, running tracks, bike routes), children’s playgrounds, fountains, and artificial ponds. Amid lush greenery, visitors encounter orange groves, palm-lined paths, rose gardens, and even a pine forest — thousands of pines form the “Urban Forest” in the park’s central section.
Historic bridges now span a sea of greenery rather than water, preserving the city’s architectural heritage. Throughout the park, visitors can enjoy cultural and recreational landmarks such as the BioParc Zoo, the City of Arts and Sciences, and the Palau de la Música concert hall.
Numerous cafés with open-air terraces line the park, making it a beloved destination for both locals and visitors. Every day, the Turia Gardens attract thousands — from joggers and cyclists to families with children — serving as both Valencia’s green heart and a lively social space.
Today, the once-dried Turia riverbed has been transformed into a multi-kilometre park — a green oasis filled with pathways, playgrounds, gardens, and water features. It has become a cherished place of relaxation and activity for the people of Valencia.
Beyond its recreational value, the park plays a vital role in regulating water for the city. The newly engineered Turia riverbed and its network of diversion channels were designed to withstand even greater volumes of water than those unleashed by the catastrophic flood of 1957. This resilience was put to the test in the autumn of 2024 during a severe emergency, when record rainfall from the so-called DANA storm once again threatened to inundate the city.
Between October 29–30, 2024, nearly a year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours, causing water levels to rise dramatically. The new diversion channel of the Turia reached near capacity — yet the city of Valencia remained largely protected. The historic city center did not flood. The Turia Gardens acted as a natural reservoir, absorbing excess water and shielding urban infrastructure from major damage.
Instead, the worst-affected areas were the suburbs located beyond the city’s protective system, while Valencia’s “green river” stood strong in the face of this new challenge.
Today, the Turia Gardens are more than just a space for leisure and sport — they are a living monument to the resilience of the community and the foresight of urban planning. The park serves as a lasting reminder of the 1957 tragedy and its lessons: plaques marking the high-water levels from that historic flood can still be found throughout the city.
Each alley and bridge in the Turia Gardens symbolizes Valencia’s victory over natural forces. This green river-park simultaneously serves recreational, water retention, and memorial purposes — offering an example of how a natural disaster can be transformed into an opportunity for sustainable urban development.
Valencia’s experience now inspires cities around the world to integrate nature-based landscape solutions to protect against climate challenges. The Turia Gardens project demonstrated that instead of "fighting" nature, we can give it space — and in return, create a safe, beautiful, and beneficial environment for the community.
