The master’s thesis explores the environmental, spatial, and social challenges of coastal cities. The study focuses on the city of Poreč located on the Croatian coast of Istria. The thesis emphasizes the role of the sea as a fundamental condition for human existence, analyzes the impact of industrialization on the development of Istrian coastal towns in the 20th century, and studies the position of the local community in Poreč, which today faces a gradual loss of cultural identity.
The central subject of the thesis is an abandoned industrial complex in Poreč, situated in close proximity to the sea. The selected site combines industrial and traditional architectural elements and symbolizes the period when industry drove the town’s development. Today, the site is degraded and has lost its role in the urban and social fabric. The aim of the thesis is to highlight its untapped potential and propose an urban solution that would allow the site to be revived as a center of activity.
The objective is to create a space where the architecture of the future reflects the narratives of the past and serves as a medium connecting people with the sea.The architectural renovation of the existing stone buildings provides the basis for spatial transformation. This approach preserves the historical identity of the site while ensuring contemporary functionality through the integration of programs for living, working, education, recreation, and gastronomy. New structures are introduced alongside the existing retaining walls surrounding the site, respecting the area’s morphology and complementing the new program with accommodation and service facilities. Smaller interventions on the open spaces establish a connection with the sea and encourage social interaction.
The revitalization of the area goes beyond mere spatial renovation and seeks to become a narrative of responsible and sustainable human coexistence with the sea, thereby restoring balance between the natural environment, the built environment, and the local community.
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