Open Architecture and Urban Planning Competition "Regeneration of Coastal Marine Industrial Area of Baku City and its Transformation into Public Spaces"

The masterplan project is born from the study of the urban form of Nizhny Novgorod, considering the importance of the Strelka area in its development. While respecting its historical-scientific values and significant elements (above all St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral), it starts from the identity of the place and relaunches its image and the commercial vocation through a system of public spaces. First from an artificial hill/amphitheatre filled with sport, commercial and service activities, all hypogeous, through the new hotel/lighthouse on the tip of the Strelka -in reference to Russian constructivism- and the dachas and kiosks along the river banks, then using commemorative elements to evoke the original port function, such as cranes on the Volga riverside. Offices are included in the regenerated pavilions and in the pitched roof building emerging from the hill. The project declares its sustainability starting from concepts of reuse, promotion, energy redevelopment of existing heritage.

The aim of the project is not only the continuation of the existing sea promenade but the creation of a new urban area using the latest technologies.

The project look at the “Smart City” like a possible improved future for the modern cities.

The Smart cities program has in citizens his core: citizen’s wellness and citizen’s quality of life are the most important aspect of this new town. The environmental improve will be the ground where will based the next development of the Baku Black Smart City.

One of the most important targets is reducing CO² emissions to zero.

This target named area N.Z.E.A. (Near Zero Emission Area) and follows the objective to create a high quality environmental district for tourists and Baku’s citizens

The main idea of the project is to use innovative technologies to create urban environment, which will be an example of a city of the future. The project was developed in accordance with the philosophy of the Smart City - buildings with zero CO² emissions equipped with solar collectors, solar panels with battery energy system, rainwater collection, built with the use of building materials adapted to the climate of Baku.

Today with the world crisis there are more places who can be invested, than people who can really invest. This generate a competition, like a race for self promoted best place. The difference between bad place and good place is in high quality and friendly lifestyle. Where want the people live, there is interest to building and redevelopment dead areas. Where is attraction and appeal, there is business opportunity 

The new quarter “ice shards city” born like a citizen’s dimension area. A new smart quarter with a high-quality life, through greens areas, public spaces and driverless car system, but without the traffic and chaos typically of largest cities.
A new concept of the city will be the new quarter “Ice shards city”, so named from the polyhedron’s shapes of the future buildings, expected with stagger 5 floor and insides double volumes, unconnected from the skins facades built in translucent materials.
These buildings are a contemporary idea deduce of traditional Volga’s fisherman's house, located by the river and gathered in small town.
Relationship with the big river Volga has an important role in the project. This relationship will be increased with a new channel which will bring the water directly inside the area. This water path will be inspired at the same existing by the foundation age of town Strelka.
The Environmental sustainability and attention at no renewable resources like the ground, air, water and green will be the project’s purpose, with the promotion of existing monuments like the cathedral.

The new quarter “ice shards city” born like a citizen’s dimension area. A new smart quarter with a high-quality life, through greens areas, public spaces and driverless car system, but without the traffic and chaos typically of largest cities.
A new concept of the city will be the new quarter “Ice shards city”, so named from the polyhedron’s shapes of the future buildings, expected with stagger 5 floor and insides double volumes, unconnected from the skins facades built in translucent materials.
These buildings are a contemporary idea deduce of traditional Volga’s fisherman's house, located by the river and gathered in small town.
Relationship with the big river Volga has an important role in the project. This relationship will be increased with a new channel which will bring the water directly inside the area. This water path will be inspired at the same existing by the foundation age of town Strelka.
The Environmental sustainability and attention at no renewable resources like the ground, air, water and green will be the project’s purpose, with the promotion of existing monuments like the cathedral.

The pitch contribution includes the development of the area south of Dolzhanskaja Street. The site north of Dolzhanskaya Street directly adjoins the plot of the football stadium. While shaping the space FIFA regulations must be respected. These were not part of the tender documents. Without knowledge of these regulations the stadium terrain, as well as the areas between Betankur Street and Dolzhanskaja Street have not been considered in this pitch contribution.

1. Park „Strelka“                                                                                                       97.000 m²

    Municipal green space, consisting of 3 zones:

1.1       Water expanse                                                                                               16.600m²

1.2       English park                                                                                                    42.000m²

            English park forms a ring of concentrated vegetation with diverse trees in the landscape area

1.2.1     Beachside café with water sports in summer

            Café with rental ice skates and cross-country skis in winter

1.2.2     Sandy beach

1.2.3     Promenade in summer | Cross-country ski-trail in winter

1.3       Zones for active use                                                                                       38.000m²

            Zones for active use are situated at the edge of the park expanse. These areas offer different possibilities for outdoor urban activity, such as:

1.3.1     Skateboarding parkour

1.3.2     Picnic

1.3.3     Play ground

1.3.4     Variety of fitness equipment, etc.

1. 4         Public toilet

2.            Sport and Concert Arena                                                                                              floor area  44.000 m²

2.1          Entrance to training ice field or ball sports hall.

2.2          Retail and office units on the ground floor along the Samarkandskaja Street.

2.3          Restaurants and offices on the ground floor along the park line

2.4          Delivery

2.5          Parking areas for passenger cars and busses (500 parking spaces)

3. Parking garage                                                                                                                floor area  45.700 m²

The building demises the northern edge of the park and links to the stadium. A limited amount of VIP parking spaces for the stadium is offered in the parking deck.

Parking deck for the Sport and Concert Arena. Capacity approx. 1.500 parking spaces with an option for extension to 2.500 parking spaces.

4.            Exhibition hall, e.g. a branch of the Museum of River Navigation or Museum of Technology.

                                                                                                                                                              floor area    8.000 m²

4.1          Court with exhibition monuments and landings for historic vessels.

5             Multifunctional Exhibition Hall for temporary events with integrated restaurant space.

                                                                                                                                                             floor area    8.500 m²

6.            Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

6.1          Existing building

6.2          Existing building

6.3          Tourist bus parking lanes

7.            Sports clubs along Volga river.                                                                                   floor area   10.200 m²

7.1          Sports club with cafe and terrace for ball sports in summer.

                Illuminated ice hockey fields in winter.

7.2          Tennis club with cafe and terrace

8.            Open areas along Volga river

8.1          Parking area (250 parking spaces) for the museum (4)

                Potential for alternative use

8.2          Parking area (500 parking spaces) for the multifunctional exhibition Hall (5) Potential for alternative use, e.g. farmer’s market or similar

9.            Existing buildings without change of use                                

10.          Restored historical building                                                                                         floor area   12.260 m²

10.1        Office / Retail                                                                                                                    floor area 1140 m²

10.2        Office                                                                                                                                  floor area   320 m²

10.3        Hotel                                                                                                                                    floor area 1600 m²

10.4        Office                                                                                                                                  floor area 3200 m²

10.5        Office                                                                                                                                  floor area 1900 m²

10.6        Office / Retail                                                                                                                    floor area 1200 m²

10.7        Museum „Strelka“                                                                                                            floor area 2500 m²

10.8        Park management office                                                                                               floor area   400 m²

10.9        Memorial

11.          New buildings with eave heights of 8 -10 meters, depending on original ground level. 

                                                                                                                                                             floor area   43.040 m²

11.1        Craft / Trade                                                                                                                      floor area 3500 m²

11.2        Craft / Office                                                                                                                      floor area 3200 m²

11.3        Office                                                                                                                                 floor area 3050 m²

11.4        Office                                                                                                                                 floor area 3060 m²

11.5        Office                                                                                                                                  floor area 2600 m²

11.6        Hotel / Retail                                                                                                                     floor area 5800 m²

11.7        Hotel / Retail                                                                                                                     floor area 6000 m²

11.8        Office                                                                                                                                  floor area 1800 m²

11.9        Municipality                                                                                                                       floor area 4200 m²

11.10     Office / Retail                                                                                                                    floor area 2150 m²

11.11     Hotel / Retail / Restaurants                                                                                             floor area 2250 m²

11.12     Hotel / Retail / Restaurants                                                                                             floor area 1630 m²

11.13     Hotel / Retail / Restaurants                                                                                             floor area 3800 m²

11.14     Theologian school                                                                                                           floor area 4000 m²

11.15     Municipality / Office                                                                                                         floor area 3070 m²

11.16     Municipality / Office                                                                                                          floor area 3070 m²

12.          Oka riverside promenade

12.1        Spot point / Memorial

12.2        Cafe terraces

12.3        Landscape square / Urban greenery

12.4        Activity zone

12.5        Historical part of the promenade

12.6        Lowered promenade area with seating devices / View to the Kremlin

12.7        Stela of Oka River

13.          Volga riverside promenad

13.1        Stela of Volga River

13.2        Seating elements for watching games and view of the river

13.3        Lowered part of the promenade with the landing stage / Seating devices

Our project gives a new character to the city banks spaces by making it a true recreational hub. 

The main intervention creates a wide range of functions that activates the space the entire day: cultural facilities, offices, hotels, sports facilities, commercial, etc. 

Towards the Oka River - the old city grid is accommodated into the new fabric by connecting all of the small buildings that are preserved and proposed ones through a glass canopy. This canopy represents the new street of the city.

Another big intervention is the bathing area that activates the other side of the site towards the Volga River and it emphasizes more the sports dimension of the whole area. 

The „Strelka“ area, as well as the most of the urbanized riverscapes of the city, is covered with hard revetment aiming efficient flood protection. Hard revetment negatively affects the biotopes connections as well as limits access of the people to the river body.  This methodology of water management is outdated. Before starting the design process of the river space, holistic, integrated approaches should be applied.

Speaking of design methods, the projects are oriented on sustainable design in economic, social and environmental dimensions.  The projects area appears as a complicated overlay of cultural and historical layers, the fusion needs to be preserved but adapted to contemporary uses. Post-industrial area of the harbour can be used as a cultural centre, with the inclusion of daily/weekly uses as market space, workshops space, play spaces, jogging/walking routes and open theatre.

The main aim of the project is the connection of the past, present and future within sustainable design solutions. Formally the symbol of time is the base of the design concept.  The area is complicated not only culturally but physically appears as dynamic space, changed several times during last two centuries.  The lake in the middle of the park is not only the reference to the former water element (according to the historical map of 1865) but is a part of water sensitive urban design retention methodology.

Mixed used quarters are the transition in between urbanized area and the park, as a recreational zone.

The site is located in the coastal part of the city, between the existing boulevard and the Caspian Sea. The area has so far been in operation industry and is quite devastated. Due to the attractiveness of the field is needed redevelopment site. This solution is provided to the new look and attractive appearance to the city to get the beauty and attraction of tourists and the holdings themselves to get another part of the city where they would enjoy, recreated, etc. The length of the location, I predicted a new boulevard, and the left and right of the block division. The new boulevard is wide, with six lanes in both directions. Of the six lanes, one for public transport, a five-passenger car. On the boulevards over the roundabouts it comes down to cross streets that separate the field into blocks. The same with the left and right sides  in underground garages and parking spaces at ground level. From garages and parking lots are still people to određwnog objective transported electric car. Public transport is also electrically powered and buses and mini buses.Sa I got such a division of the blocks between the existing and the new boulevards and blocks of a new boulevard and the coast. Each block is interesting in itself, of course with its attractive appearance has its own story. There are also residential areas, apartments, with accompanying content, such as restaurants cafes, small shops, and other service LPKA, large shopping centers, hotels, large port with a pier for small and large cruise ships. With changing configurations of the coastal terrain, created the islands with which connected by bridges to the mainland. On the islands are a luxury apartment complex or hotel with a port for ships. The blocks between the boulevards of the sport and recreation centers, large parks - forests for rest and relaxation. There are courts for various ball games, golf course with supporting facilities, etc. The contribution ecological awareness in the solution of traffic, electric buses and cars (all cars on gasoline psrkiraju in underground garages or parking spaces centraknim). Facilities with the possibility of building the so-called green arhitecture with lots of green facades, terraces and roofs. And there are green zone between objects.

The main idea of the project is to create non-decreasing level of well being in the long terms for the people of Baku without any harmful effect on the nature. Thus, the project’s territory is closed maximally to the needs of the society. Also, along the cost wide “green” public zone including bike-path and running-track was designed as well as artificial islands, embankments with parks, hotels and berthing.

Residential area separated on blocks in step-close to each other. One block is a small city able to exist almost independently. Each building in the block have commercial zone on the first and second floors. Bike-path system was designed. Along all the roads trees are planted. To keep inhabitants in safe special advanced crossroads were designed. These crossroads include different ways for cyclists and pedestrians. Moreover, there are underground crosser in complicated road sections.

The newly developed coastal area defined in the contest program, is being treated as a connection between the existing urban infrastructure of Baku and the Old city. The White City and Olympic Village developments are taken into account. The remaining area is enriched with different functions. The innovative and modern approach creates new opportunities for the tourist and public infrastructure.

The area was divided conceptually in two parts – The Fire on the West connects with the old city and the traditions as a monument of the Phoenix is situated in the park area. The main function of the East area is the connection with the Water. It’s a natural sequel to the White City and the Olympic Village.

The whole city has need for green areas to let it breathe and the idea is to transform the industrial coastal area into a breathing space for Baku. The energy needed to power the infrastructure will be delivered by renewable sources.

The re-development of the Baku coast is characterized by a mix of formal and informal programs laying the foundations for future attractive seaside resort.

A "green ribbon" is organizes on the south area of the site, connecting every new thematic areas with the addition of a tramway and pedestrian pathways.

Plots are organized by following the system of a Smart Grid. This program mix associated with the use of renewable energies and filtration systems permit to give new experiences to the city and to the coastal territories.

Our vision for the seafront of Baku is the alliance of strong programs, linked together by intelligent transport and reconnected to the city by the landscape. It’s a new vision based on technology and community, recreating an area of mixity and leisure.