LOCATION
Kaliningrad, Russia
DATE
2013
SIZE
160 ha
TYPE
Masterplan - Invited competition
STATUS
3rd Prize
CLIENT
Kaliningrad City
PROJECT TEAM
Patrick Verhoeven, Martin Arfalk, Maria Gregorio Puig, Chuhan Zhang, Carlos Dias, Andrei Deacu
COLLABORATORS
Andreas Jonasson Architecture
Katja Mattsson
Framing Future Kaliningrad
Six strategies for regenerating a city centre
Framing Future Kaliningrad offers a roadmap for sustainable development in Kaliningrad’s historic city centre. The large Russian city is experiencing development pressures from growth, combined with the stimulus of being a host city for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Using the world class event as a catalyst, the city will kick start a dynamic transformation that will shape its future.
Through six strategies that approach the future of Kaliningrad from different vantage points, the Framing Future Kaliningrad masterplan offers a flexible framework that set a clear and forward thinking vision for the city at a variety of scales:
The mobility strategy utilises ring roads to open up the centre for biking and walkable avenues. Avenues are supported by an increase in the coverage and frequency of public transit in the centre, through an extended network of trolley buses and trams. The Green-Blue strategy combines the central waterfront spaces and historical defence parks of Kaliningrad into a cohesive public network, strengthening their character by opening them up to the public. To bring together two clear architectural traditions the city block strategy outlines an approach for new development that learns from the functional Königsberg era blocks, while at the same time integrating with the large and iconic Soviet structures. The public space strategy lays down a hierarchy of linked public spaces, which distorts and invigorates the grid in strategic locations. The open network strategy reaches out beyond the inner city and suggests ways in which to spread the benefit of the inner city revival to Kaliningrad’s outer neighbourhoods. Finally, the mixed functions strategy utilises new and reprogrammed historic buildings to inject fresh land uses into the city centre, with the goal to cultivate a bubbling overlap of life and activities.
Six strategies for sustainable development of Kaliningrad's city centre
Mobility strategy, Green-blue strategy, City block strategy, Public space strategy, Open network strategy and Mixed functions strategy secure a sustainable yet flexible regeneration of the city center
Completing the puzzle
By smart transformation of the central part of Kaliningrad, the new city district with the cultural centre is established.
Active city centre for all
The currently underdeveloped city centre of Kaliningrad is developed within the flexible urban framework.
Vibrant street network
The streets are an active and safe public space allowing for for human interaction.
Planning for the future
The project is implemented during three distinct phases, that are securing sustainable transformation of the city over the time and allow for flexibility within the framework.
Dense but permeable city grid
The diverse block typology is tight together by interconnected public space network with extensive pedestrian zones and active urban and green spaces.
Active street network and accessible public spaces
The plan offers comfortable outdoor public spaces that generate year round social interaction within the planned network.
Step-by-step regeneration of the existing areas
By utilising and redevelopment of the existing spaces, the proposal aims to create new spaces with unique character while keeping the local identity.
Detailed plan
The final situation of the Tsentralnaya Square and the Water square in the centre of the city.
From an open square to the new cultural centre of Kaliningrad
The slow transformation and densification of the Tsentralnaya Square with integration of the House of Soviets and new Water square.
Accessible waterfront development
The river is reconnected with the city, allowing for various activities and social interaction all year round.
