Over the course of time, layers of history are cumulating on certain place, through which we can learn about how people lived before us, the reasons for their decisions and interventions in space, and the essential characteristics of space, its qualities and its shortcomings.
The cultural richness of a place that is in disharmony with its surroundings can often lead to the gradual deterioration of such an urban area, due to spatial and other obstructions and the absence of suitable programs.
Here we are presented with the question: how to recognise, preserve and improve the qualities of the area and which elements need to be removed and replaced in order to revitalise the urban area, to connect it to its surroundings, moreover, how to improve connectivity and development of the area.
In my master thesis I address the problem of revitalisation of a degraded area in the urban fabric in the area of Jakopič's Garden and Emonska Street and their surroundings in Mirje near the centre of Ljubljana. By uncovering the spatial and historical layers, I am getting to know the specific identity of the place, both on a broader scale of the city and its districts, as well as on a narrower location. Through the themes that characterise the area, I try to evaluate the site through historical and spatial analyses and to identify its weaknesses and opportunities for development.
Master thesis is focusing on themes, combination of which characterise the chosen location, but are also themes that relate to broader issues. Public space in the city: what kind of public space do we need, why do we need it, how should it be connected and who should it be for? Cultural heritage; how can we keep up with contemporary developments and everyday life with the constraints and frameworks that heritage protection imposes on us, and how can we overcome these constraints and connect with the past in a way that integrates it into everyday life? How to design a space that integrates greenery in the city is a way that it imposes an opportunity for relaxation, informal gatherings and other spontaneous events? And last but not least, how to consolidate the status of a university city, how to provide university spaces in the city centre that are flexible and resilient enough to cope with programme changes and possible future needs and demands, and how to bring the university closer to the public?
The thesis seeks to answer these questions through multiple spatial interventions, linked by traits that are identity elements of the chosen location. The aim is to give the area a new distinctive image and to organise its spatial and contextual relationships.
The design of the public space follows the vision of transitivity and interconnectivity of public areas by introducing public amenities. By removing spatial barriers and creating new connections, I am creating new pathways and access to the hitherto relatively inaccessible Jakopič's Garden area. These interventions provide the area with a large public space, mostly dedicated to the park, without the previous access restrictions and with new paths.
I am also trying to create the conditions for reviving the area by creating a public programme along and in the street, including by changing the traffic regime in such way that it gives priority to pedestrians and cyclist. Project also tries to improve connections between the city centre with its surrounding disticts.
The archaeological remains that characterise this part of the city would no longer be a reason for its stagnation, but would help it to flourish by creating a complex of cultural programmes. The task envisages an integrated treatment of the archaeological remains, which would be protected, appropriately presented and linked in such a way as to show the visitor to the park or the passer-by the importance of Emona in the development of Ljubljana, and the spatial interrelationships of the ancient remains with each other. The cultural heritage buildings shall be given a new appropriate programme and shall be integrated with the park to form a single multi-faceted cultural complex.
The design of the park, in addition to integrating with other programmes, also approaches it as an open green space without a specific programme, while the other parts of the green system in the area act as a morphological element to emphasise the content of the area and to connect the local community through gardening and other activities.
The site also links to the university programmes area and relates to the existing cultural heritage. It creates flexible work spaces, halls, public access spaces for the presentation of work and content, thus connecting the university to the city and opening a dialogue with its inhabitants.
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