MORAČA RIVERBED
Location
Client
Podgorica, Montenegro
Podgorica Muncipality
Year
Program
2022
Urban Design
Status
Area
Preliminary Design
200 000m²
Abstract - Moraca sits as an uncut diamond of wild beauty through the heart of Podgorica. Its dense green banks, a buffer between diverse sets of urban fabric, exclude the city from the river. In order for Moraca to transform into significant public space for its inhabitants, connection needs to be made between the river and the existing green, sporting and cultural spaces surrounding it. A resilient strategy that seeks to balance activity, ecology and spatial quality within the Morača waterfront.
A resilient river edge, reinvigorating the
connection between the community and Morača
The redeveloped system of the Moraca riverbed plays host to, and is
able to facilitate a broad range of new functions that provide unique leisure
and recreation opportunities for locals and tourists. The waterfront allows
for a number of cultural and social events to take place while providing responsible
access to a host of preserved and protected landscapes.
Tapping into and building upon existing networks in the city, the site area becomes a green pedestrian and cycling friendly artery through the city, connecting further still to the Greater Skadar Lake area.
There are number of different perceptions of the river offered throughout the urban plan such as a meandering path through the tree tops or a sunken walkaway in the riverbed. A multitude of experiences that all form part of the same intergrated network.
In addition to enhancing leisure and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, the revitalized Moraca riverbed also fosters a sense of community engagement and environmental stewardship. Sustainable and community-based activities, such as collective urban farming, bee-keeping, and birdwatching, become integral components of this dynamic urban space. By integrating these activities, we not only provide residents with opportunities for hands-on engagement with nature but also foster a stronger sense of community ownership and environmental responsibility. Through the collective efforts of residents, the Moraca waterfront transcends its role as a picturesque location and becomes a living, breathing embodiment of a balanced, resilient, and sustainable urban environment that connects people, culture, and nature in a harmonious coexistence.
