Consider this house. It was home to a visionary. The Pedro Bidagor Plaque commemorates Pedro Bidagor. He was an architect and urban planner. He lived here from 1963 to 1996.
Pedro Bidagor authored the General Plan for the Capital in 1941. This plan was the origin of “Gran Madrid”. This is a historic and decisive project for the city. Madrid was partially destroyed by the Civil War. Bidagor directed the Technical Office of the Madrid Reconstruction Board. He wanted to enhance Madrid’s capital status. He envisioned a “Gran Madrid” as a political, social, and financial center.
The Plan Bidagor took shape in the Law of 1946. It helped institutionalize Spanish urban planning. Bidagor proposed something revolutionary. He wanted to close the city with a green belt. This would happen once the current urbanized area and its expansion were covered. Future growth would occur in new polygons surrounded by green spaces. These spaces would have a large proportion of autonomous life.
Bidagor outlined the extension of La Castellana. He also envisioned the AZCA Commercial Center. He planned the M-30 and M-40 ring roads too. These are vital arteries of Madrid today.
Pedro Bidagor was born in San Sebastián in 1906. He died there at 90 years old. He spent over 70 years in Madrid. Here he became an architect. Here he developed his urban planning and teaching work. He lived in this house for 33 years. During this time he served as Director General of Urbanism. He also was President of the National Council of Architecture. Even in retirement he remained dedicated to his profession.
The Pedro Bidagor Plaque serves as a reminder of his contribution. He shaped Madrid’s urban landscape. He left a lasting legacy on the city we see today. His ideas continue to influence urban planning in Spain. The plaque invites us to reflect on the importance of urban design. It shapes how we live and interact with our surroundings.