Proposals for the regeneration of Nea Chora area in Chania, Greece
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Location: Nea Chora, Chania, Greece
- Workshop project | group project | 2016
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
This project explored Chania as an urban laboratory on the sea edge which brought on the surface many issues common to many coastal cities in Greece. For example, abandoned places, urban voids, sites of remembered histories and forgotten stories. Most major urban areas are located along the coastal zone, as well as the industrial land, tourism and recreational infrastructures. Chania is not an exception. The city faces many challenges due to the conflicts between the above mentioned land uses, pressures due to tourism along with environmental issues like flooding due to the expected sea-level rise.
The design principle used in this project was the resilient operations; the aim was to suggest design proposals that are flexible and adaptable to any future changes might occur.
DESIGN PROCESS
Site visits in the area helped us understand the relationship between Nea Chora and the old city centre. In addition to some interviews and desktop analysis, the group made some scenarios for the upcoming years related to socio-economical and environmental changes as shown below.
The design proposals tried to address these scenarios. One proposal, which I was part of, introduced flexible structures to accommodate immigrants which were scalable if demand would increased. This installation, located right next to the old port and the residential area, aimed for a smooth integration of the immigrants into the city fabric and the avoidance of any feeling of exclusion from their part or the surrounding community.
The final material produced was a 3D illustration of the above mentioned installation and the area’s around. The vision for this place was to become active again, attractive to people of all ages and reconnected with the old port; part of a pleasant walk alongside the waterfront.
