van dongen-koschuch + west 8

8/12/2019 van Dongen-Koschuch + West 8

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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

van dongen-koschuch + west 8

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