Suggestion of Urban Renewal in the area of Karagats of Volos

Working group: Perlepe Eleni, Chatzidaki Maria
Supervisor: Triantafyllidis Georgios
University of Thessaly / Department of Architecture Engineering
Delivery date: September 2009

 

 

 

 

The area of study is situated in the district of Karagats of the city of Volos and is delimited by the Anavros Torrent - G. Dimou Street - Nikotsara Street and the ring road of great importance. The specific point could be characterized as a nodal point for the city, because, on the one hand, Anavros connects the mountain bulge of Pelion with the city of Volos and on the other hand, G. Dimou Street is a road of hyperlocal importance, as it delimits the wider city centre at the North. Furthermore, G. Dimou Street connects Anavros and Krafsidonas torrents, which means the Western with the Eastern limit of the centre of the city of Volos.

Prima facie, we noticed that the area of study is characterized as an area of sheer residence. G. Dimou Street constitutes an exception, which, due to the commercial and public uses it accommodates, is a potential local centre. Also, the central functions of the city of Volos are concentrated at the South and the distribution of the use of earth is uneven, burdening the coastal zone and its parallel streets with multiple functions.

For all the reasons mentioned above, our suggestion aims at the conversion of the area of study in an active urban landscape, consisting of residence, areas of public architecture, areas of green and recreation, aiming at the discharge of the existing city centre with the creation of a new one.

 

 

 

 

The character and form of each designing action resulted from the analysis and utilization of the characteristics of the area of study. The first objective was the connection of both shores of Anavros and, at the same time, the compilation of the same area with the already existing urban tissue. The main pivot of the composition has been the linear limit of the torrent. The already existing "traffic corridor", which is parallel to the torrent is abolished, the car use is eliminated and the traffic is transferred to the parallel street, a street of special importance and traffic intensity, as it connects the ring road with G. Dimou Street. This action results in the creation of a main promenade (esplanade) - park, next to which lay the structured environment, which enforces the function of this linear park.

 

 

 

 

Aiming at forming a residential environment with an upgraded living standard for the residents of the area itself, as well as for those of neighboring districts, beyond the residence, we introduce areas of public architecture, areas of green and recreation. As far as the structured environment is concerned, the vertical mix of uses is suggested and consists of houses - office buildings - primary school (to replace the already existing one) and sports facilities (outdoor facilities and gymnasium). The mix of these different functions and uses aims at the welfare of the residents, as well as at the welfare of businesses and the attraction of visitors.

 

 

 

 

Due to the local and hyperlocal importance we wish to add to the area, the designing of parking lots was necessary, in order to satisfy the needs of the visitors, as well as those of the residents. A net of linear parking lots along the street blocks, as well as four additional places of varied capacity placed where necessary and a big subterranean parking under the public building, a building - landmark, were created.

 

 

 

 

The transparencies also constitute a special characteristic of the whole composition. These has been achieved through the array of buildings in a way, which enables the unhampered transition to all directions and, mainly, to that of the promenade pivot.

A main designing action has, also, been the renewal of the Anavros torrent, which even though is of vital importance for the area, it has entirely lost its natural character. For this reason, a natural slope has been added and formed and pools have been created, in order for the presence of the liquid element to be noticeable.

 

 

 

 

Through the whole course of evolution of the synthetic procedure, there has been the wish to produce an enhanced model of city centre, which rejects the "suburban style and attitude" and a new centre of attraction with a local and hyperlocal range.