Calle Montera is a bustling and historically significant street located in the heart of Madrid, Spain. It serves as a vital artery connecting various prominent neighborhoods within the city. This vibrant thoroughfare is known for its diverse blend of commercial establishments, cultural landmarks, and a rich tapestry of Madrid's contemporary urban life. Calle Montera, with its intriguing history and vibrant present, stands as a testament to the dynamic character of the Spanish capital. Originating from the iconic Puerta del Sol, one of the central squares in Madrid, Calle Montera extends northward, intersecting with other notable streets and avenues, including Gran Via. Its strategic location and accessibility have contributed to its status as a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. With its wide pavements, bustling cafes, and a variety of retail outlets, Calle Montera embodies the energetic pulse of the city. Calle Montera's history dates back centuries, and the street has witnessed various transformations and developments over time. Initially known for its residential buildings and local businesses, the street gradually evolved to accommodate the changing needs and trends of the city. The architectural diversity along the street reflects the different periods of Madrid's growth and development, showcasing a mix of classic and contemporary styles that contribute to the area's unique charm. The street's name, "Montera," is believed to have originated from the term "montero," which refers to the traditional hat worn by hunters. This name might have historical significance, perhaps alluding to the street's past as a gathering place for hunters or as a reference to the hats sold in the area. While its etymology remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, the name Montera has become synonymous with the lively spirit and cultural richness of the street itself. Calle Montera has long been recognized for its vibrant commercial scene, housing an array of shops, boutiques, and department stores that cater to a diverse clientele. From high-end fashion outlets to local artisanal shops, the street offers a variety of shopping experiences, making it a favorite destination for fashion enthusiasts and avid shoppers. The presence of renowned international brands alongside traditional Spanish retailers adds to the street's cosmopolitan ambiance, reflecting Madrid's status as a global fashion and retail hub. Beyond its commercial significance, Calle Montera is also known for its cultural landmarks and attractions that contribute to the street's overall allure. The presence of historic buildings, art galleries, and theaters further enriches the cultural fabric of the area, making it a hub for art enthusiasts and history aficionados. The street's cultural offerings provide a glimpse into Madrid's artistic heritage and contribute to the city's reputation as a thriving cultural center in Europe. Calle Montera's vibrant atmosphere extends into its culinary scene, with numerous restaurants, cafes, and eateries offering a diverse selection of local and international cuisine. From traditional Spanish tapas bars serving authentic regional dishes to contemporary eateries showcasing innovative culinary creations, the street caters to a broad spectrum of gastronomic preferences, making it an ideal destination for food enthusiasts and connoisseurs. In addition to its commercial and cultural significance, Calle Montera has gained notoriety for its vibrant nightlife scene, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues lining the street and its surrounding areas. The energetic nightlife attracts both locals and tourists, offering a diverse range of social experiences that contribute to Madrid's reputation as a city that never sleeps. The lively ambiance and the eclectic mix of entertainment options along Calle Montera make it a popular destination for those seeking an unforgettable night out in the Spanish capital. However, it is important to note that Calle Montera has also been associated with a history of street solicitation and the presence of individuals offering certain services, which has at times garnered attention and raised concerns within the community. This aspect of the street's identity has sparked discussions about urban planning, social dynamics, and community well-being, leading to various initiatives aimed at addressing these issues and fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all residents and visitors. Efforts to promote a more welcoming and secure atmosphere along Calle Montera have been undertaken through collaboration between local authorities, community organizations, and law enforcement agencies. Initiatives focused on enhancing public safety, encouraging responsible tourism, and fostering a supportive environment for local businesses and residents have helped to shape the ongoing transformation of the street. These initiatives reflect Madrid's commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive urban environment that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of all those who visit and reside in the city. Calle Montera continues to evolve, embracing its rich history while embracing contemporary developments and innovations that reflect the changing needs and aspirations of a dynamic and cosmopolitan city. Its enduring significance as a cultural, commercial, and social hub underscores its integral role in the fabric of Madrid's urban landscape, making it a must-visit destination for those eager to experience the vibrant spirit of the Spanish capital.

The San Gil Barracks were designed by Francesco Sabatini and stood in the northern part of what is now the Plaza de España. The barracks were demolished at the beginning of the 20th century. Construction of the San Gil barracks began in 1789. Originally conceived by architect Manuel Martín Rodríguez as a convent for Franciscan monks. The building was demolished for the first time and then rebuilt as a settlement for the army. The idea was to defend the northeast flank of the Royal Palace. The final building was the work of prominent Italian architect Francesco Sabatini After over a century of military use, the demolition of the barracks was decreed in 1903. This finally began in 1906 and was not completed until 1908. A recent refurbishment of the Plaza de España, which started in 2020, led to the discovery of some important archaeological remains. One example is a series of walls made up of semicircular arches that correspond to part of the San Gil Barracks, which after 118 years underground, have now been relocated to the surface.

Madrid Nuevo Norte is the big project of 21st-century Madrid. It’s the most significant urban transformation project that Spain’s capital city will undergo, and one of the most important in Europe, designed to improve citizens' life quality and create a more efficient, sustainable, and prosperous Madrid. The project came from the need to integrate Chamartín Station, and all its railway installations, into the city. For more than 50 years, this infrastructure has created a huge rift that divides northern Madrid, with many drawbacks for millions of citizens. This urban regeneration project will not only heal this wound by solving problems related to mobility, security, and a lack of public services, but will also position Madrid in the group of cities that are will best respond to the enormous social and economic changes of the decades to come. A 100% sustainable city in which citizens will travel on foot, by bike, or by public transport, and in which housing, businesses, offices, and green areas create the ideal environment for living, working, and enjoying free time. The size and, especially, the location where Madrid Nuevo Norte will be developed, represent a historic opportunity for Madrid. The enormous scale of the project, which will regenerate more than 2.3 million square meters of disused land, makes it possible to carry out a project that extends beyond its own limits and becomes a project for the entire city. But it is its prime location that will make Madrid Nuevo Norte a truly unique project. As Chamartín Station is at the heart of the project and Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas international airport is just 15 minutes away, the project's location is unique in Europe due to its potential for local, regional, national, and international accessibility. Madrid Nuevo Norte creates a new city model based on the best sustainable urban planning practices. A dense, compact people-centered city, public spaces, sustainable mobility, in which housing, offices, retail spaces, green areas, and public facilities are mixed together to complement each other, which creates the best environment for living, working, and enjoying free time. It maintains the essence that makes our city so attractive, but still strengthens its innovative and cosmopolitan nature. A city model that takes everyone into account and was designed through participative processes that made it possible to listen to citizens and understand their different needs and ways of using their city. As the starting point for the renovation of the northern section of the capital, Madrid Nuevo Norte is a strategically important project around which vital regional infrastructure revolves, such as the reorganization of several of Madrid's busiest traffic junctions or the covering of 20 hectares of railway tracks; and other significant, nationwide infrastructures, such as the construction of the new Chamartín station. The L.R. Klein University Institute for Economic Forecasting, attached to the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid analyzed the repercussions that Madrid Nuevo Norte and the project’s urban development actions will have on the national economy. Madrid Nuevo Norte is going to create a new city model focused on the well-being of Madrid’s citizens. The project will also have a significant impact on the regional and national economy, which in turn translates into more opportunities and a better quality of life for all citizens. This sustained impact over time will not be limited to the city of Madrid; the project will have an impact on the region and the country as a whole, promoting economic recovery. In total, it has been calculated that the project will create 348,064 jobs between the construction phase and the future activity that it will generate in the offices and businesses in the new neighbourhoods. During the construction phase, the 149,622 jobs that will be created in Madrid represent 4.8% of the population currently employed in the region. When Madrid Nuevo Norte is finished, it will have the capacity for up to 146,488 more jobs. The total investment for the development of Madrid Nuevo Norte is 11.1 B€. The purchase of properties will add private investment to that figure, for a total cost associated with the Madrid Nuevo Norte project of 25.2 B€. The economic impact of Madrid Nuevo Norte will extend beyond the Region of Madrid and will add to the national GDP. A total of 5.9 B€ in taxes will be collected by all of the Public Administrations. *This project is still in development. The completion date is to be determined*

The Island of Sculptures (Illa das Esculturas) is an open-air contemporary art park located in Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. Established in 1999, the park spans 70,000 square meters and is situated on an island in the Lérez River, seamlessly integrating art, nature, and public space. The park features twelve large-scale granite sculptures created by internationally renowned artists, including Robert Morris, Francisco Leiro, and Fernando Casás. Each artwork is designed to interact with the landscape, reflecting themes of Galician culture, history, and natural elements. Beyond its artistic significance, the Island of Sculptures serves as a community space for walking, cycling, and relaxation, making it a key placemaking project in Galicia. The park promotes cultural engagement, sustainability, and accessibility, offering an immersive experience where visitors can explore art in harmony with the environment.

Hanazono Shrine was originally founded before the start of the Edo period, about 250 meters south of its present-day location. In the Kan'ei era, the shrine was relocated to the gardens of the Owari-Tokugawa family, in an area that had until then been a prolific flower garden, to make space for the villa of a shogun’s vassal. Before the Meiji period, a branch temple of a Shingon Buddhism sect was enshrined with Hanazono’s Shinto shrine, and the Buddhist chief priest served as the manager of both. During the Meiji Restoration that began in March of 1868, the Buddhist object of worship was abolished from Hanazono, and the religious space returned to only a Shinto shrine. At the time, it was named simply “town Inari shrine” because of a mistake in the submission to the official list of names. It was officially named "Hanazono Shrine" in 1965.

In a downtown area well populated with public art, the colorful work on the street side of Blue Dot Place stands out: The work was part of the building plan from the beginning for the 33-unit apartment building that opened on Jan.

A public green space designed to honor veterans, featuring a commemorative garden, sculpture installations, and quiet seating areas. The garden is designed as a restorative space for both veterans and the public, integrating native plants and sustainable landscaping. Annual events such as Veterans Day gatherings and storytelling circles are hosted at the site.

MARIA-THERESIEN-STRASSE (German: Maria-Theresien-Straße) is an outdoor medieval street in the City of Inssbruck, Tirol, Austria, and it was built in honor of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, who reigned in the late eighteenth century. However, the street was founded approximately 700 years ago, when it was only inhabited by a few farm houses and it was outside of the Old Town's great medieval walls. This Urban Placemaking project is a fantastic opportunity to visit a modernized medieval site, enjoy the local gastronomy of the Tirol region, and meet other people. References: - Information #1: https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/sightseeing/historical-buildings/detail/infrastruktur/maria-theresien-strasse-innsbruck.html - Information #2 in German: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria-Theresien-Straße_(Innsbruck) - Images #1-3: https://www.christkindlmarkt.cc/en/markets/maria-theresien-strasse/37-0.html - Image #4: https://www.wiredforadventure.com/innsbruck-guide-city-adventure/maria-theresien-strasse-innsbruck_innsbruck-tourismus_christof-lackner/ - Image #5: https://innsbruck-erinnert.at/die-strassen-von-innsbruck-die-maria-theresien-strasse/

The city of Madrid dug 43 kilometers of tunnels into which the exit routes and motorways of the six-kilometer section along the River Manzanares disappeared. The master plan for the reclaimed riverbanks and the new urban area of Madrid RIO was designed and created by Burgos & Garrido, Porras La Casta, Rubio & A-Sala and West 8. Development plans were then prepared for the individual components: Salón de Pinos, Avenida de Portugal, Huerta de la Partida, Jardines del Puente de Segovia, Jardines del Puente de Toledo, Jardines de la Virgen del Puerto and Arganzuela Park. The most important of which include: the Salón de Pinos, designed as a linear green space, which links the existing and newly designed urban spaces with each other along the Manzanares River. Salón de Pinos is located almost entirely on top of the motorway tunnel and features a “choreography” of 8.000-fold pine trees and a repertoire of cuts. Avenida de Portugal, by relocating one of the most important roads into the center of Madrid underground and providing underground parking for 1,000 vehicles, it was possible to convert the space into a garden to benefit local residents. Embellished with Cherry trees and cherry motif, the result is the creation of an extremely popular public space. Huerta de la Partida, the old Royal Palace is now a modern interpretation of the original royal orchard and a wide variety of fruit trees in planted in groups to create an enclosed garden. For the Arganzuela Park, the dominant motive is the water. The canalized river Manzanares is surrounded by architectonical walls. The system of streams running through the park will cross through the topography and merge into the different spaces and motifs. Puentes Cascara, serving as bridges and iconic landmarks, Puentes Cascara creates a place where the river is really experienced. Designed as a massive concrete dome with a rough texture, the bridges feature more than one hundred cables resembling whale baleens, which are fixed to the slim steel deck. The fine detailing becomes visible when entering the bridge. The ceilings are covered in a beautiful mosaic artwork done by Spanish artist Daniel Canogar. The first part of the project was completed in spring 2007 and in spring 2011 the entire project was completed. Arganzuela Park and the Salon de Pinos are connected by two slow traffic bridges, the Cascara Bridges.

The Chueca quarter is the epicenter of gay Madrid and a symbol of modernity, avant-garde and open-minded tolerance. Its streets are a great place for anyone looking for fun, fashion and lots of atmosphere. The Chueca quarter is in the centre of the city of Madrid, and its main hubs are the Plaza de Chueca square and the streets of Fuencarral and Hortaleza. In recent years this area has become an outstanding illustration of the freedom and openness of Madrid society and is home to numerous venues which are popular with the LGBT community, alternative fashion centres and a host of opportunities for fun, in an anything-goes atmosphere. This is a neighbourhood where you can enjoy fashion in all kinds of different shops: everything from the most avant-garde designs to top labels, including establishments dedicated to practically all the urban tribes. These streets are also ideal for strolling with friends by night, as there are a large number of clubs where you can either enjoy a quiet drink or dance until dawn. In addition you'll find numerous gastronomic options with designer eateries and traditional restaurants, and others serving international cuisine. And all in an atmosphere of tolerance and diversity. Chueca is also the center of the Gay Pride Festival which is held every year between June and July and fills the streets with music, color, high spirits, as well as the thousands of people who flock to the neighborhood intent on having a good time.