T h e f i r s t s i g n s o f a m o d e r n a t t i t u d e towards public space in Bucharest
I o a n a I VA N O V, S t a d l e r R E I N H O L D ,
Sofia, June 2011
Reference/Inspiration
Modernity has no good connotation per se, as long as it is not mastered democratically and negotiated on, as long as liberal, critical or creative voices are still marginal or insufficient. (...) What is missing in those cities, from that new architecture? The added value, a coherent approach in time, a savoir fair or savoir vivre?
Goagea, Constantin, The Poetics of Transition Ask for Certain Poets, in Urban Report #1, The Poetics of Transition on the Run, p.5
Contents
The present state of Bucharest public space Why did we get here? The first signs of change The many urban actors concerned by public space Case study – the rehabilitation of the historic center Private investments in public space development Civil society involvement Potential elements for a high quality public space in Bucharest Proposed priorities Alternative visions for Bucharest public space
Context
The lack of proper public space in contemporary Bucharest has two main reasons: • the way the city has developed from the mid. nineteenth century till the ‘80s: successive attempts to clear, modernize, and monumentalize the urban fabric destruction of significant areas from the historic fabric dysfunctional new public spaces • the public interest has been outweighed by the private interests for the last 20 years of business-oriented Bucharest the restoration and protection of private land ownership hindering or even precluding holistic urban planning the absence of professional debate or community reflection on the public space matter
Context
The heritage of the ’80s (socialist city): • wide boulevards unused by pedestrians • monumental scale of the urban space
• the main squares designed as traffic junctions • left-over spaces
•misunderstanding of public space and public use
Context
The post–socialist city: • car dominated city • deterioration and decrease of the public space • increasing criticism regarding the public space quality • alternative expressions of public space and public life
Context
The public view on public space • spot elements: parks, main squares, playgrounds - major points of interest which act independent • practical /functional perspective- use /fulfill needs and leave. • the interest for pedestrian movement, cycling and other alternative transportation means is overlooked
The first signs of change
Interest on many levels: •pro-active forces advocating the right to public places and spaces • professional debate • city government interventions • new requests in terms of quality and symbolic value of the public space • private interventions on the public space
The first signs of change
before
The rehabilitation of the historic center – the only coordinated, long-term intervention on the Bucharest public space- conducted by the city government • the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure in the area after
• aims to recreate the character •of yesteryear, providing modern facilities, encouraging economic and social activities and preserving an important part of the archaeological and architectural heritage
The first signs of change
Effects of the rehabilitiation process • important point in the Bucharest urban life and touristic attraction; • highly frequented space, mainly for recreation, walking and meeting with friends; • the main pedestrian area of the city; • gentrification and contrasts between the commercial area and the remaining residential spots
The first signs of change
The private investments in public space development in Bucharest are rather low: • private interest outweigh the public interest
• strong sense of property • no culture of public space • public space used as promotional tool for certain brands
The first signs of change
Private investment for improving the public space around the property - the public space becomes semi-public and is used for promotional events and advertising
The first signs of change
Private investment for public spaces design within new office and residential development projects – semiprivate space
Sema Park rendering
The first signs of change
The civil society involvement increased in the last years • helps the community to get used to another way of understating the city • opportunity for new urban policies and programs promoting a sustainable, modern lifestyle • informal communication channel between community, professionals, municipality and other interests groups • the establishment of alternative community centers by reviving vacant, derelict buildings or open-spaces
The first signs of change
Strategies and design proposals for public space revitalization and “livable places” implemented by NGOs
“Magic blocks” – Mosilor neighborhood
The first signs of change
Events organized and promoted by NGOs in order to increase awareness regarding the importance of public space
Street Delivery- Arthur Verona Street
In the end
Bucharest has potential for
high quality public spaces development by: • reshaping the monumental boulevards in favor of pedestrians and cyclists • development and design for the waterfront • bringing the existing spaces back to the human scale and improving their functionality
• creating or enhancing community spaces, integrating the population needs and ideas.
Concept Drawing – Dambovita riverside http://www.adevarul.ro/bbtcontent/clipping/ADVIMA20101123_0378/4.jpg
In the end
Priorities: • systemically thinking about public space, inclusive the waterfronts
• reconsidering the attitude towards alternative transportation means, since the public space cannot work at it’s fullest in a car-dominated city • involving the professionals and the community in the urban design process
In the end
Concept Drawing – Cultural center
In the end
Concept drawing – Morii lake on the Dambovita river http://think.hotnews.ro/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/insula_propus.JPG
In the end
Concept drawing –New pedestrian bridge over Dambovita river near the city center http://rezidentialex.ro/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/scuarbrezoianu.jpg