van dongen-koschuch + west 8
TRANSCRIPT
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WATERTAXI
FERRIES
ER1912 1.
PLAN SCALE 1:4000
WELCOME TO VLORA!QUALITY THROUGH DIVERSITY
Make the city attractive for
touristsandcitizens alikeIntegral design: Pearls of Vlora
Connectivityalong the
waterfront and to the
hinterlandEnhance the
existingassets: sea, mountains,
history and culture Repairand
protect
Vlora, the Gatewayto
Albania..
FERRY TERMINAL
UNIVERSITY GARDENS
TAXI BOAT JETTYS
PINE TREE BEACH
ARCADE RESIDENTIAL, HOTELS, RETAIL
SHADED URBAN PROMENADE
CULTURAL BUILDING
MARINA
MARKET HALL
Albania is Europes last hidden gem. Its beautiful, robust, raw landscape, inhabited by friendly
tradition-driven people, has the potential to shine.
Vloras central position regionally and on the Mediterranean can help greatly to its transformation
into international local city and economic leader. In order to maintain this unique character it must
cleverly approach environmental challenges, urban challenges and challenges of uncontrolled devel-
opment and over-development.
CONCEPT AND OBJECTIVE
The central aim of this project is to transform Vlora and its waterfront into a highly attractive place for
tourists and citizens alike. More than simply designing a facelift, now is the opportunity to make the
exceptionally beautiful natural landscapes and maritime environment work alongside the citys poten-
tial prosperity.
The project should emphasize local, existing qualities; improve infrastructure and create opportunities
for diverse, sensitive and controlled development. In doing so, Vlore has the potential to become one of
the most attractive centers in the eastern par t of the Mediterranean Sea.
Plans for a national by-pass and an alternative municipal street will detour heavy traffic from the wa-
terfront and will make it possible to have a traffic-free area in the South Segment of the coast.
The promenade will no longer act as a barrier for pedestrians but as a connector, and high quality pub-
lic space can be developed to make it functional and attractive. The relation of the sea and the hinter-
land can be re-established. As a result local pride and tourist potential can thrive.
Modernisation of tourist infrastructures will enable Vlora to become more accessible to, medium and
high-end holiday goers from other European countries and catch the eye of national and international
investors.
Waterfront interventions will integrate basic needs such as; accessibility and drainage, improving pub-
lic health and importantly sustaining itself as a place to relax and enjoy oneself. We believe Vlora will
be able to utilize its natural assets, whilst protecting, respecting and nurturing them helping itself to
become an eco-conscious city.
Vlora is a highly cosmopolitan area, it has cultural and historical richn ess, traditional agro-based prod-
ucts, fine gastronomy and its own strong identity. It is our firm belief that these multiple assets are far
richer to the city than a single key feature and should be further exploited. Quality through Diversity.
The interventions being taken now will set the directional course of Vlores future.
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DIAGRAMS
INFRASTRUCTURE
To emphasize unique existing qualities and create
opportunities for diverse, sensitive and controlled
development, the sea front must be protected from high-
density traffic corridors. Alternative traffic solutions
are introduced to hugely increase the attractiveness for
development in the coastal area.
Effects of post-communist transformation havebecome visible in physical and in spatial patterns,
and in the living condition of the people. High rise
buildings, inconsiderate locations of industrial sites
within the city, destruction of green areas, wet
lands and chaotic urban sprawl up the hilly slopes
have greatly degraded the urban landscape and its
potential touristic appeal.
e coming years Vlore will approach urbanizationfound in comparable European cities due to its
egic position and assets. The proposed terminal
ans-Balkan Gas & Oil pipeline from the Black
area, the Port development and the potential
truction of a new airstrip at Pishporos, 10km
Vlore, could further accelerate development.
Vlora suffers from the lack of appropriate road hierarchyin the citys current road network and street design.
Roads, pavement, and intermediate spaces are quite
badly maintained. Absence of public passages pose as
a threat to the safety of pedestrians.
Walking is the main mode of travel in Vlore but there
are poor infrastructure conditions for pedestrians and
cyclists. Safety and mobility facilities for pedestrians,handicapped persons and cyclists should be improved.
Cycling is an ideal mode of transport for an actual,
cost-effective and immediate improvement of urban
conditions. Cycle lanes give drivers more freedom in
their own lane, and the cyclist more security. The bicycle
as a modern means of public transport should claim its
dominant position in the public realm and should be
deliberately used to solve future mobility demands.
Poor public transport is also given room to imporve in
new profile designs, making it enjoyable to travel for
all, car, pedestrian or bus.
2.
BOULEVARD ISMAIL QEMALI PROFILE
PINE TREE BEACHES
FRASTRUCTURE
ENTRAL DISTRICT
ENTRAL HUB FOR DAY TRIPS
AREAS CONNECTED BY 1ROMENADE
MODES OF TRANSPORT
PHASING
GREEN CORRIDORS
POINTS OF INTEREST
Boulevard Ismail QemaliBoulevard Ismail Qemali reference
double vehicle lane
double vehicle lane
centre cycle route
pedestrians
pedestrians
Section 1:400
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Furthermore we enhance the current structure byimproving the existing main axis and introducingtwo new axes in North-South direction.
The two main axes connect the harbor withthe historic centre thus creating two centres ofgravity that can thrive with future densificationand diversification.
Protection of the seafront from all unqualifiedand incompatible uses transforms seafront roadsinto urban promenades with; public transport,designated lanes for cyclists, and wide sidewalksfor pedestrians, giving all users equal safety andusability.
Natural facets should be protected, respectedand fostered
BOUR AREA
port is an important hinge currently actingbarrier between the two axis of the city.
proposal integrates landscape, building, andt profile, enabling the port to harmonise
current disjunction.
Vistas are created and special points of interestdefined: a market hall, a cultural centre, theharbor, with room for port facilities and a publicswimming pool.
Locality can prosper here and culture isencouraged. Tourists can enjoy meeting vibrantactivity immediately after stepping off the boat,and locals have amenities on their door step, as
well as concerts, art and shopping.
All three axes connect to the new city ring,and in southern direction minor roads detourtraffic that affects locals whilst improving theiraccessibility.
The sea and the city become connected. Bydetouring traffic from the coastal road the
attractiveness of the areas along the coast canbe enjoyed by people in larger public spaces.
3.
UNIVERSITY GARDENS PROFILECULTURAL BAY PROFILE
HARBOUR BAY
HARBOUR BAY PROFILENETREE PROFILE
University gardensThe new waterfront
arcadeshopping andrestaurants
universityboatpromenade
parking
vehicle +cycle routejetty
new long familybeach
long sandybeach
meanderingpaths
buildings onthe beach
continuation ofne forest to the
city
recreational space inshade
shaded palm stretch
stepped seating
waterfrontcycle route
wide pedestrianroute
waters edgeseating
Fresh local produce
Daily market Stepped seatingArcade shopping
Housing references Cultural on the beach
Nightlight on the strand
Harbour walk
tree beaches
Section 1:400Section 1:400Section 1:400ion 1:400
MARINA
PORT
MARKETHALL
MARINABAY
FERRYTERMINAL
CULTURALBUILDING
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TH SEGMENT PROMENADE
boulevard is a chain of landscapes, public- green
es, and beaches set against the backdrop of
ous mountains.
to the intense sunshine in the summer months
c space without shade are unbearable. To improve
microclimate for people using these areas palm
trees shall line the paths and routes, with seating placedat regular intervals to allow for a break.
A widened profile and uninterrupted paths along the
waterfront allow for a continuous beach promenade
almost covering the full coast of Vlora.
Here, vehicular traffic is not dominating, cars are
visitors and the spaces are easy accessible for cyclists,
pedestrians and public transportation.
Locals enjoy their day coming to a close with a socialstroll along the promenade; lovers meet at the cultural
building where poetry is being read at one side, and a
pop concert plays facing the beach.
Elderly, students, street traders and tourists alike
populate the area and give the boulevard vibrancy and
colour. The boulevard is not exclusive, instead it is a
melting pot of cultures and ideas. The University plays
an important role in both the new habour area and theSouth segment.
It is the starting point to take hikes in the mountains
encouraged by planting more green on the beach and
densely along the promenade. What is created is a
continuous green walkway along the sea infused with
program; culture, sport fields, parks, sunbathing areas,
an amphitheatre and jetties.
The proposed plan promotes the protection and enhancement
of Albanias unique landscape, it creates solutions to ease
future infrastructural proposals, and encourages the creation
of diverse, sensitive and controlled development in the city
centre. We strongly believe that Vlore has the potential to
become one of the most attractive cities in the eastern part
of the Mediterranean Sea using its very own NATURALRECOURSES - largely its pine and limestone - throughoutthe design.
Challenges of the project shall be met with LEARNEDPHASING TECHNIQUES. On top of this, to sustain thequality of life that is achieved, further PLANNING will haveto be made for the FUTURE PROTECTIONof the city and its
environment.
The city has set itself ambitious goals: becoming a TOURISTHOTSPOT on the other hand developing its INDUSTRIAL-and harbor activities. Both are difficult to combine.
However, thoroughly IMPROVING POLICY and actionregarding the environmental protection and management
issues (in wastes management, wastewater treatment, respect
to environmental criteria for landscape protection in building
development, protection of coastal zones, mountainous areas,
forests and water bodies) can help to find solutions to achieve
the best for the city.
One of the largest challenges is the current water waste
system. Only 90 % of the inhabitants are connected to a piped
disposal system and all sewerage is disposed into the bay of
Vlore. At the same time the sea is the main asset of Vlora. If
the city is to become a tourist HOTSPOT the quality of watershould be priority.
We propose a system encorporated into the profiles along the
coast. A RAIN WATER system that filters through slats inthe LIMESTONE seating benches and into a pipe system thatlater connects with a new waste system and is led out of the
city - and importantly away from the sea.
In each challenge it can be easily imagined there are
opportunities for JOB CREATION. In environmentalmanagement; coastguards, forest rangers, and civil servants
for the maintenance of the new street profiles. All ensuring
the promises of Vlores gold.
GREEN AVENUES, neighborhood gardens and urban parkswill improve the daily perception of residents, bring more
people to the streets, and workers to the beach having longterm benefits for the economy.
Improvements to PUBLIC TRANSPORT can have long term
benefits to Vloras carbon footprint; increasing cyclist numbers,
reducing cars, lowering noise levels and decongesting the city
centre.
4.
JETTY AREA PROFILE FOREST MEETS THE GREEN PROFILE SUSTAINABILITY THE QUALITY OF VLORA
ROMENADE
TYPICAL PROFILE
one waytraffic one way
trafficvaryingwidthbalconies
varying widthbalconies
forest streching overthe road
seating inthe shade
public showers pedestrianpedestrian
small jetty pavillion
cycle pathscycle paths
planting/seatingkiosk in the green
ADAPTABLE PROFILE DETAIL
one waytraffic
Section 1:400Section 1:400Section 1:400
Paths through the greenSeating island Vlora seating
Vlora lighting and benches
cle accomodation