From ideas to process-projects
Europan 15 - Karlovac (HR)
« The fantastic forest phenomenon: testing a new narrative »
Project strategy family:
- Ecological connections
- Inclusive morphologies
- Inventive typologies
- Reinterpreted heritage
- Urban articulations
Process category:
- Direct order processes
- Competitive processes
- Co-creative processes
- Collaborative processes
- Participative processes
- Participation of the Living processes
- Adaptative legal framework processes
Authors: Hana Dašić, Iva Erić, Jana Horvat, Ria Tursan, HR - Local partner, urban planning office “URBANISTICA”
Client(s): City of Karlovac
Dates: 2019 - 2022
Driving forces: CLEINTS + TEAM
Site
Karlovac (HR)
CREATING A NEW URBANITY
SCALES XL/L SIZE 500ha / 25ha
The project site is the area of the former military barracks, surrounded by areas of high residential density. The goal is to transform this currently derelict site by producing an urban fabric with all aspects of desired urbanity, which includes mixed and adaptable uses, new typologies, improved mobility, a sharing economy, the use of renewable sources of energy (including geothermal) and the creation of new public spaces.
Awarded Idea
Project - Ideas
The fantastic forest phenomenon: testing a new narrative
Due to a very convenient geological position, Karlovac has the potential to become a leading regional energy centre. The role of Luščić, a new research hub in the city, is to explore this possibility for new productivity, as well as similar ones, in and around the city. New strategies are developed, introducing a network of new flows through the city. The neighbourhood itself is designed to function as an independent ecosystem of a peculiar, forest-like environment, a hybrid urban and natural habitat. The project seeks to highlight that the site of the former barracks can become an inhabited “forest” with ideal infrastructure for recreational use with minimal interventions in terms of reconstruction of existing facilities and future construction for mixed uses.
Project Strategy
Family: Inclusive morphologies
NEW VISIONS FOR LUSCIC DISTRICT
What the city really needs first is a strategy – a plan to start re-adapting and getting back in sync with the present moment, simultaneously attracting people and businesses who can then make a change in the future.
From the very first discussions with the city of Karlovac, the team consistently emphasized the flexibility of their plan's design, which offered more of a strategy than a finished project, and the need to include residents and users from the outset of the process to ensure the plan met their actual needs. A public forum was therefore organized with residents, local organizations, and city departments to gather opinions, suggestions and needs before the planning work even began, allowing for better evaluation and integration into the future urban plan.
It became clear that the city needed additional public and commercial buildings that had not been previously identified. A kindergarten, a school, a sports hall, a retirement home, and a hotel were incorporated into the plan. Some other functions initially included in the competition proved superfluous, such as the cinema, which the city had planned elsewhere, and certain housing buildings, which were envisioned in far greater numbers than necessary, following a socio-demographic study conducted by the team.
The concepts of sustainable and renewable energy and a research centre focused on this production were retained to enable the creation of an energy-independent district. The core idea of creating a unique environment for this future district, evoking a forest—a hybrid urban-natural habitat connected to the existing forest—was also maintained.
In January 2022, the Karlovac City Council adopted the urban development plan. The winning team's involvement officially concluded with the approval of the "Luščić – Centre" urban development plan. The city has prioritized the kindergarten and primary school, which are currently under construction. These will be the first buildings erected in Luščić, while other public buildings (public swimming pool, research centre, public park, etc.) will be developed following design competitions.
Process
Category(ies): Direct order processes, Participative processes, Collaborative processes
Direct order processes
Following the competition, the city commissioned the winning team to draw up an urban development plan for the competition site “Luščić – centre”.
Participative processes
A public forum was organised even before the urban planning phase began. Thanks to this initiative, residents, local organisations and city authorities were able to express their opinions, recommendations and needs, which were then carefully taken into consideration during the plan's development phase.
Collaborative processes
Throughout the urban plan design process, an advisory body composed of members of the Karlovac Architects' Association, members of the municipal council and Europan supervised the entire process to help the team understand the realities of implementation and ensure that the main ideas of the original Europan project were incorporated into the plan.
