Project Description
Reconstruction of Corinth’s seafront
Type: Urban Design
Firm: LandmArch.
Client: Municipality of Corinth
Location: Corinth, GR
Year: 2016
Area: 90.000 m2
Our study concerns the creation of places with a strong aesthetical, functional and environmental identity, emphasizing on recreation, participation, innovation and social exchange.
This can be achieved by the clear delimitation of areas of pause and movement, the proper choice of the required materials, mainly those regarding the paving and the new urban furniture and the re-approach of proper lighting design, in order to eliminate the existing phenomenon of light pollution and provide sustainable lighting providers.
As for the green areas our proposal aims to organize them properly so that they can provide an appropriate shading shelter and a pleasant microclimate for both people and the local fauna. Therefore, we upgrade the microclimate and provide simultaneously a delineated pedestrians’ protection from the vehicles running behind the green flower-beds, resulting in both the reduction of noise and exhaust gas in these zones.
In the planting study we have chosen to maintain as much as possible the existing plantation. Additionally, it is proposed to strengthen it with tree and shrub categories that are compatible with the climate, morphology and subsoil of the area. The purpose of these options is to save energy and natural resources for the irrigation of green areas and their maintenance.
The study is being drafted by the Municipality of Corinth, aiming to implement a wider program for the overall upgrade of the city and the quality of life there, providing a new identity based on contemporary requirements in urban planning, on a wider scale, as well as in the micro-mapping of the site.
This study is taking into serious consideration people with disabilities, providing the proper infrastructures of traffic access zones, ramps and guides for people of low vision capacities, in accordance with the global specifications of urban design and accessibility for all.
As for the materiality of this project, we propose to remove all existing tiles and replace them with cast porous concrete with water absorbing properties. The concrete material (pervious concrete) is environmentally friendly, with excellent flood-management and flood-control yields, since the water absorption is no longer dependent only on water-drainage networks, but most of them end up through this, directly into the subsoil. Beyond that, this material is easy to install because it is cast, it does not create unsightly joints and is quite anti-skid to avoid accidents.
For the urban equipment we propose a technological advanced plan following the Smart City standards. Therefore we propose concrete and wood sediments, with USB ports and power supply from photo voltaic panels.
Underground waste bins for the best possible sanitary balance of the city, plus recycle bins and compost bins for the major possible reuse of waste materials.
This projects aims to uplift the social life of both locals and tourists, providing all adequate necessities for a vibrant and safe landscape, ready to be explored and lived. New urban areas will now be open to public for use and recreation.