As we’ve revealed earlier,  the Europan 13 competition is now open! Young architects and professionals of the urban design under 40 years of age can now participate to the competition on one or more than 49 different sites in 15 European countries, including the site proposed by the Municipality in Gjakova.

The topic of this new session is: “The Adaptable City 2: Self-organization – Sharing – Project (Process)“. More information about the competition after the break.

Gjakova is a city with great cultural heritage, historical and natural wealth, the city of rivers, as a center of developed industry and agriculture. Gjakova as free economical zone plays a very important role in economic development. Beside industry the city is a home of the public University which is a great generator for city’s diversity. The area of Dukagjin, where Gjakova plays a central role is on the of most visited touristic areas, providing amazing nature, architectural heritage from different time periods and variety of craft production. The site which is located in the central part of the city will revive and connect the existing urban block with the rest of the city by improving space and adding functions to it through.

CITY STRATEGY

City strategy for the future is to develop Industry, trade and food industry in particular. Cultural heritage of the city serves as a great promoter of tourism, and Gjakova is known for its hospitality. The municipality has developed several visions for the city development and each of them involves industry and trade. City’s politics is to decentralize the government and to distribute the level of investment and development, for the city not to be over built or concentrated. In terms of internationality, Gjakova plays an important role since it is situated near Albanian border, and connected with main axis with Peja and Prishtina. As a touristic city a nd heritage promoter the city center which is filled with history needs an improved incorporated space that makes Gjakova as a whole.

SITE DEFINITION

The site has a central role in the city and is located along the river Krena, passing through the historic part of Gjakova. From north where the city park is located and Hotel Pashtrik as a landmark, the site stretches along the river down to south, crossing near old commercial areas, religious buildings, residential areas and newly developed commercial zones. Beside the riverbank which has no activities, on the north of intervention area there is a big public space near hotel, music school, museum, commercial and residential area. Four bridges connect both sides of the riverbank only physically because there is a lack of function and activity that will connect this part to the rest of dynamic city center. // europan-europe.eu

DATES OF THE COMPETITION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• Launch : 2 March 2015
• Submission: 30 June 2015
• Results : 4 December 2015