NEW LIFE FOR HARBOUR AREA IN CROATIA

URBANISATION: A whole new district is about to take shape in Rijeka, Croatia, where an old harbour area will be rebuilt to nclude a cultural centre, modern housing, a marina and shops.

The dilapidated harbour area of Rijeka will soon be transformed into a modern housing, cultural and commercial district that will also feature a brand new marina facility and ferry terminal.

This project is about to become a reality as Danish consulting group COWI and Gehl Architects collaborate to create a master plan, design guidelines and tender documents for both the harbour authorities and the local authorities.

International developers

The project will attract international developers and heir investment partners whose responsibility it will be to manage the individual building projects. Binding contracts will be secured with selected developers.

A major infrastructure project has diverted harbour activities and traffic away from the down town city area, making way for the urban developments that are about to take place. We must now help to ensure that these developments are founded on user requirements and built to harmonise with their environs, so they become a natural extension of the city’s existing capacity,“ says Development Manager, Niels Meinertz-Nielsen.

Modern apartments and marina

The projected developments will cover an area of some 17 hectares (42 acres). A conceptual design has already been drawn up for the site, and space has been allocated for a marina, park, esplanade, ferry terminal, hotels, offices, shops and various cultural attractions. In addition, a large area will be allocated for apartments. In total the project covers a floor area of some 185,000 square metres.

“We must review the master plan and translate it into what is going to be tendered for. For example, more than 75,000 square metres of floor space have been allocated for housing, but no decision has yet been made as to the nature of the properties - whether they will be holiday homes for tourists or accommodation to satisfy local housing needs,“ says Project Manager Jens Ove Skjærbæk He adds, “The marina will also occupy a good deal of space. And in contrast to the old part of the city – which has very narrow streets –substantial areas have been reserved as open spaces to encourage more town ife. These will become the city’s oases.”

Attracting tourists

Rijeka’s geographic location close to the Adriatic Sea and just opposite Venice makes the city an obvious tourist attraction, and this has been taken into account iin the master plan. “Rijeka has waited for years for a development of this nature. The new hotels and the marina offer significant new opportunities for attracting tourists, and the marina will be able to accommodate holiday sailors, large yachts and cruise ships too,” says Jens Ove Skjærbæk.

View the picture in full size