This project, is developed by students from the IES Ramón Muntaner, Xirivella. It explores the transformation of the Spring Bridge in Picanya. While not an ancient monument, this modern structure has become a vital piece of our local heritage by embodying community resilience and strength in the face of natural disaster.

We chose the Spring Bridge because its significance deepened dramatically following the extreme weather event known as the DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) that struck the Valencia region.

During the extensive flooding caused by the DANA, numerous bridges and infrastructure projects in the area were destroyed by the overwhelming force of the water. Crucially, the Spring Bridge was the only structure that remained standing. This singular act of survival transformed the bridge from a mere piece of infrastructure into a powerful symbol of safety and enduring strength for our community.

This experience underscored that heritage is not only defined by castles or cathedrals, but by the everyday spaces that become deeply meaningful through shared history and survival. The Spring Bridge successfully connects both sides of the town, serving students, families, and neighbours, and its survival reinforced the community's bond and its understanding of the value of protecting local assets.

The story of the Spring Bridge directly addresses a pressing European challenge: how climate change affects all countries and why we need stronger, more sustainable infrastructure.

• Shared Problem and Solution: The DANA phenomenon is a recurrent meteorological threat across the Mediterranean, making the bridge’s story relevant across the continent. It serves as a tangible example of resilient architecture and underscores the need for proactive adaptation to climate change.
• Protecting Our Future: The bridge reminds us that local heritage protection must evolve to include future-proofing our structures against extreme weather. This local survival story demonstrates how protecting the places around us is intrinsically linked to protecting Europe's shared future.

We focus on the Spring Bridge because it survived a challenging moment, successfully uniting the town, and providing a powerful, contemporary message to Europe. This structure proves that local heritage can be part of a bigger European solution by offering a concrete model of resilience, demonstrating that strength can be found even in the face of global challenges.