http://www.azom.com/News.asp?NewsID=124

Hydro Open Aluminium Recycling Plant in Spain, near Madrid

http://www.ecosistemaurbano.com/
http://www.ecosistemaurbano.com/cargador_en.html

Go to: Parkeing Urban Action, Residential Building in Vallecas, Air Pavilion. Few more links to interesting projects.

http://www.eukn.org/spain/themes/Urban_Policy/Transport_and_infrastructure/Technical_infrastructure/Water_supply/rain-water-management-Madrid_1005.html

Bit of information on the recycling of water in Madrid. Links are in Spanish.

This is a glass recycling bin in Madrid. These bins can be controversial: some people love them, other say they're hideous. Nevertheless, the important thing is that last year almost 28,000 tons of glass were collected here in Madrid. Recycling is part of the strategy to put a stop to the increasing residues generated in developed societies, the strategy of the three R's: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Spanish Population

Transport

Here are some links that has prices of transport and times they operate.

http://www.madrid-tourist-guide.com/en/transport/madrid-bus-system.html

http://www.emtmadrid.es/index.html?lang=eng

Business

• GDP (Gross domestic product): US$1.1 trillion (2006).
• Main imports: Machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semi-finished goods and food.
• Main exports: Machinery, motor vehicles, food, pharmaceuticals and medicines.
• Main trade partners: France, Germany, Italy, UK and Portugal.


Economy
The economy was subdued until Spain joined the (then) European Community in 1986, since when it has expanded rapidly. Spain achieved high growth through the 1980s and 1990s, largely due to an expanding service sector which now accounts for most economic output. Spain joined the European Monetary Union at the start of 1999 and the eurozone in 2002. The Spanish economy has slowed somewhat since 2000, and although unemployment has fallen, it remained high at 8.1% in 2006. The annual GDP growth in 2006 was 3.9% while inflation was estimated at 3.5%.

Today, Madrid remains Spain's financial and political core, home to the Cortes (Parliament), Senate and Royal Family, as well as the extraordinary cultural riches of the Golden Triangle - the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza art museums.

With a population of just over three million, Madrid is Europe's third largest city (after London and Berlin) and its highest capital, at 650m (2,132ft) above sea level.

Spaniards are determined to vivir a tope (live life to the full). The craving for conspicuous enjoyment, not to mention the 2,800 hours of annual sunshine, turn the streets into bustling centres of public display.

Madrid's infectious and colourful fiestas punctuate the year, with each barrio (district) trying to outdo the other in its celebrations. The highlights include Reyes Magos (Feast of the Three Kings), Carnival, the religious processions of Holy Week, the San Isidro Festival in May (the beginning of the bullfighting season) and Nochevieja (New Year's Eve)

Each barrio has its own distinctive atmosphere - Lavapiés, Malasaña and Chueca being the oldest and most interesting.

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/city/73/city_guide/Europe/Madrid.html

Business hours

The square in Bird's Eye view

On the live.com maps they also offer Madrid in "Bird's Eye" view (pictures taken out of airplanes).

These give a nice angled view where you can also see the fassades.

>> LINK

Change of perspective...

Spanish Civil War

"The Spanish Civil War was a major conflict in Spain that started after an attempted coup d'état committed by parts of the army against the government of the Second Spanish Republic. The Civil War devastated Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939, ending with the victory of the rebels and the founding of a dictatorship led by the Fascist General Francisco Franco and the defeat of the supporters of the Republic. Republicans (republicanos), gained the support of the Soviet Union and Mexico, while the followers of the rebellion, nacionales (Nationalists), received the support of the major European Axis powers, namely Italy, Germany, as well as neighbouring Portugal."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Civil_War

Madrid Metro

The Madrid Metro is the large metro system serving the city of Madrid. It is one of the largest metro systems in the world, which is especially remarkable considering Madrid's population of approximately 3.5 million (Madrid city) to 6 million (metropolitan area). In fact, it is among the top 10 longest metros in the world, though Madrid is approximately the twenty fifth most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is also one of many fast growing systems in the world, rivaled, among many others, by the Seoul Metro or the Beijing Subway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid_Metro

Night buses: 'buhos'

"If you need a lift after 23.30 pm you'll have to rely on either the taxis or the 'buhos' -Madrid night buses. There are over 20 'buhos' bus lines. All start at Plaza de Cibeles (on map C2-[d4]), at 24.00 pm leaving on weekdays every 35 minutes until 3.20 am and then every 70 minutes all night long. At weekends and Fridays they run all night long every 20 minutes.

There is also a 'Metrobuho' service at weekends and Fridays, bus lines that follow the metro lines paths and have the same frecuency as the 'buhos'."

http://www.softdoc.es/madrid_guide/transport/buses.html

Cycling in Madrid

"We are sorry, but we have to say it: Madrid is not a cycling-friendly city."
http://www.softdoc.es/madrid_guide/transport/bike.html

Transport Interchange Stations

This seems to be data about the main transportation exchange stations and the amount of people going through them.

Shirley, can you translate that for me?

"El Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid ha construido dentro del plan de Intercambiadores 2004-2007 los intercambiadores de Plaza Elíptica, Príncipe Pío, Plaza de Castilla y Moncloa, estando en servicio en la actualidad los cuatro.

NÚMERO DE VIAJEROS DE LOS INTERCAMBIADORES"

Madrid Bus network travellers...

Years	Inhabitants of the city of Madrid	Vehicles park	Nº of travellers transported	Nº of Kms covered
1960	2.177.123	984	380.083.693	41.936.186
1980	3.357.903	1.897	467.277.355	93.438.590
2000	2.998.686	1.824	531.207.270	94.178.279
2002	3.124.892	1.900	482.363.396	96.154.099
2004	3.205.691	1.958	475.597.104	96.779.127

Nightlife... starts late!

"Unless you want to be the only one inside, don’t go into a nightclub until at least 01:30."

"The Spanish don’t go out until after 23:00 and even then it’s quite normal to eat tapas as you go. This is also essential to soak up the alcohol if you are going to be out all night! I’ve walked into a wine bar at 01:00 and ordered tapas. It’s fantastic that you can always get something to eat!"

http://www.madrid-tourist-guide.com/en/club/madrid-night-life.html

Public transport Madrid website

Public Transport Madrid...
http://www.ctm-madrid.es/

http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=2048

First Posting... Visualisation of Madrid Traffic

First Post...

Found a cool visualisation project - they visualise the traffic in on central part of Madrid.
-> http://www.trsp.net/cow/

The team

• Elly G
• Abdul M
• Jason O
• Santhaya N
• Shirley M
• Elena S
• Aya M
• Martin C