Bridge on Valencia old river Turia riverbed
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[...In the 1950's the river was diverted to prevent the chronic flooding Valencia had suffered. This left the city with a vacated riverbed in the heart of the city. One of the major tasks facing the city has been to rehabilitate this space. After strong public opposition, an initial plan to convert the riverbed into a freeway was abandoned. It was not until a couple of decades later, however, that serious planning and execution of a central park, the Jardines del RÃÂo TurÃÂa, came to fruition.
The park was envisioned as a spine for the city, serving as a central axis leading toward the sea between the historic center and the newer sections which grew up across the river. The park includes plenty of green space, as well as a children's amusement park. By gaining a large reserve of open space directly adjacent to the historic center, Valencia has been able to resolve the problem of inadequate greenspace from which most Spanish cities suffer...]
