Taller 301 was awarded First Prize in the International Architecture Competition Urban Landscaping in Kyiv for Euro-2012. The project entitled Reclaiming the Shore consists of 413 hectares between the Dnieper River and the City Center, and envisions a series of interventions to be developed for the upcoming UEFA European Football Championship 2012 hosted in Kyiv, as well as a long term vision for the city. More images and architect’s description after the break.
THE DNIEPER WATERFRONT – KYIV BEYOND THE UEFA EURO-2012: The efforts of the Kyiv Central Department for Urban Planning in hosting the European Football Championship Finals in 2012 must be seen as means to an end, not the end in itself. The Dnieper River embankment recuperation and reinvigoration is but a mere step in transforming and strengthening the entire Ukranian region. Just like the Dnieper is a geographical unit, the correspondence between city and nature must be carefully planned. The potential that this small intervention can actually undertake in eventually transforming the region starts here. More important than just improving the embankment, the city must offer strong connections that lead to the different natural resources and enliven the city. Just like Berezina is an affluent of the Dnieper, pedestrian and bike promenades should also become “urban affluents” of the Dnieper, existing forests and mountains.
RECLAIMING THE SHORE – KYIV LANDBRIDGES: Problem: The highway acts as a barrier between the city and the river. Solution: Reconnect the city and the river through landbridges.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE EXISTING PATH: The Edge is already a rich and complex walkway that has been worn out by time and lack of proper maintenance. It is the backbone of Kyiv’s most important Metropolitan park. As such there needs to be a general intervention along its entire length for it to reach its full potential. There needs to be an effort to restore the existing paths to their original state. Restoration has to include improvements in lighting, ramps for the disabled and the inclusion of bicycle paths. The new Edge will have different types of movements such as walking, jogging, in-line skating and bicycles.
RING NODE STRATEGY – STRUCTURING THE LANDSCAPE: If the Edge functions as the backbone of Kyiv’s Metropolitan Park the Ring nodes function as its joints. They contain activities, solve height variations, structure the landscape and help connect the city with the river. By deforming the ring node, traffic continues uninterrupted creating an iconic reference along the edge. The node connects all pedestrian walkways creating diverse relations and shortcuts.
COMPETITION TEAM: Pablo Forero, Julian Restrepo, Ivanovha Benedetto, Juan Carlos Cuberos, Manuela Mosquera, Susana Somoza and Alejandro Montoya.
