The Role of Urban Design in Creating Resilient Public Open Spaces Surrounding Urban Small Watercourses: A Case Study of the Kumodraz Stream in Belgrade
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Research Framework
2.1. Characteristics of Open Public Spaces in Areas Surrounding Small Urban Watercourses
2.2. Quality of Public Open Spaces Surrounding Urban Small Watercourses to Support Resilience
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Theoretical Part
3.2. Empirical Part
4. Study Site—Kumodraz Stream, Belgrade, Serbia
5. Results
5.1. Characteristics of Public Open Spaces Surrounding Kumodraz Stream
5.2. Respondents’ Attitudes Regarding Future Appearance of Stream
6. Discussion and Conclusions
6.1. Survey Findings—Aspects of Quality of Space
6.2. Urban Design Guidelines and Capacity Improvement Measures
6.3. Role of Urban Design in Creating Resilient Public Open Spaces Surrounding Urban Small Watercourses
- To harmonize different goals in the design of a space and reconcile numerous functions in order to create high-quality, resilient spaces. Open public spaces with a large number of functions require a specific approach to design that is able to respond to many different goals: to improve the quality of life for citizens, to connect and support watercourse revitalization and improvement projects with urban regeneration projects, to create a system of recreational areas and to protect from floods, reduce pollution and safely restore the entire ecosystem. These are all coordinated within the concept of quality open public spaces. This perspective aligns with current urban design research by recognizing the various roles of open public spaces [35,64,65].
- To integrate open public spaces functionally and spatially into the wider urban context and create a basis for further capacity building. The areas surrounding small urban waterways are often barriers to the overall circulation of people and goods and cannot connect with other parts of the city. Instead, organized and functionally developed open public spaces must be redesigned to be visually and functionally connecting elements that, while ensuring accessibility, encourage citizens to visit and enjoy them. Research that addresses various forms of spatial barriers offers a range of measures to overcome them [4,5,50,64,66].
- To achieve functional and visual unity in the design of individual open spaces along the watercourse, but, at the same time, to ensure that they are not monotonous and uniform. The watercourse is an element that binds several different urban entities together with ecosystems along the course into a whole. An approach that emphasizes the importance of considering the entire watercourse as a single entity is recognized in related research [3,7,24].
- To achieve the functional and visual connection of the left and right banks, including the watercourse and the surrounding environment. In contrast to large rivers, where the left and right banks are far apart, in the case of small watercourses, the banks and the water must be treated as an inseparable entity that has a unique shape. From the point of view of flood protection, this transverse connection is very important because it creates a connection between the water and floodplains, directs the water movement and connects the water and riparian ecosystems.
- To ensure the functionality of open public spaces under different circumstances caused by large variations in water levels, to harmonize changes and to ensure, to the highest possible extent, the high-quality use of the space during the year and in periods after disturbances. In the case of small watercourses, there are large differences in the water level during the year [28].
- To realize the visual and functional integration of systems used in flood protection, including green infrastructure, to increase the attractiveness and appealing qualities of the areas surrounding small urban watercourses. Several studies recognize the importance of integrating green infrastructure in areas surrounding watercourses [2,38,61]. However, it is essential for this integration to be attractive. To improve their quality, flood, erosion and heatwave protection elements should be given the ability to perform multiple functions at the same time. It is important to enable citizens to access these systems and use the services that they provide.
- To encourage, with adequate spatial patterns, the development of the largest possible number of diverse activities, coordinated in space and time, for the purpose of greater attendance at the space and raising its quality and resilience. Grouping complementary activities and separating conflicting ones in space and time encourages stronger social interactions and connections.
- To make the space capable of providing better information and awareness-building and to stimulate openness, communication and self-organization among citizens so that, with proper information and knowledge, they are more adequately prepared to face the disturbances that are likely to arise in the future.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- EEA. Rivers and Lakes in European Cities. Past and Future Challenges; Publications Office of the European Union: Luxembourg, 2016. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sabbion, P. Urban River Restoration. In Urban Sustainability and River Restoration: Green and Blue Infrastructure; Perini, K., Sabbion, P., Eds.; John Wiley & Sons: London, UK, 2017; pp. 76–92. [Google Scholar]
- Khirfan, L.; Mohtat, N.; Daub, B. Reading an Urban Palimpsest: How the Gradual Loss of an Urban Stream Impacts Urban Form’s Connections and Ecosystem Functions. Front. Water 2021, 3, 754679. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Carmona, M. Contemporary public space: Critique and Classification, Part One: Critique. J. Urban Des. 2010, 15, 123–148. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hough, M. Cities and Natural Process. A Basis for Sustainability, 2nd ed.; Routledge: London, UK, 2004; pp. 5–10. [Google Scholar]
- Wild, T.C.; Bernet, J.F.; Westling, E.L.; Lerner, D.N. Deculverting: Reviewing the evidence on the ‘daylighting’ and restoration of culverted rivers. Water Environ. J. 2011, 25, 412–421. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kondolf, M.; Pinto, P.J. The social connectivity of urban rivers. Geomorphology 2017, 277, 182–196. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ristić, R.; Kostadinov, S.; Abolmasov, B.; Dragićević, S.; Trivan, G.; Radic, B.; Trifunović, M.; Radosavljević, Z. Torrential floods and town and country planning in Serbia. Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. 2012, 12, 23–35. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dinić Branković, M.; Marković, M. Revitalizing small urban streams as an instrument of urban planning in creating resilient cities. Facta Univ. Ser. Archit. Civ. Eng. 2021, 19, 193–205. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- IPCC. Summary for Policymakers. In Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report; Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Core Writing Team, Lee, H., Romero, J., Eds.; IPCC: Geneva, Switzerland, 2023; pp. 1–34. [Google Scholar]
- IPCC. Climate Change 2001, Synthesis Report; Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Core Writing Team, Watson, R.T., Eds.; Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, 2001. [Google Scholar]
- Davoudi, S.; Crawford, J.; Mehmood, A. Climate Change and Spatial Planning Response. In Planning for Climate Change. Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation for Spatial Planners; Davoudi, S., Crawford, J., Mehmood, A., Eds.; Earthscan: London, UK, 2009; pp. 7–18. [Google Scholar]
- Folke, C. Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social–ecological systems analyses. Glob. Environ. Change 2006, 16, 253–267. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cumming, G.S. Spatial resilience: Integrating landscape ecology, resilience, and sustainability. Landsc. Ecol. 2011, 26, 899–909. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Holling, C.S. Resilience and stability of ecological systems. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 1973, 4, 1–23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Allen, C.; Angeler, D.G.; Cumming, G.; Folke, C.; Twidwell, D.; Uden, D.R. Quantifying spatial resilience. J. Appl. Ecol. 2016, 53, 625–635. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Colding, J.; Barthel, S. Exploring the social-ecological systems discourse 20 years later. Ecol. Soc. 2019, 24, 2. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Walker, B.; Holling, C.S.; Carpenter, S.R.; Kinzig, A. Resilience, adaptability and transformability in social-ecological systems. Ecol. Soc. 2004, 9, 5. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Brown, K. Global environmental change I: A social turn for resilience? Prog. Hum. Geogr. 2014, 38, 107–117. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Elmqvist, T.; Andersson, E.; Frantzeskaki, N.; McPhearson, T.; Olsson, P.; Gaffney, O.; Takeuchi, K.; Folke, C. Sustainability and resilience for transformation in the urban century. Nat. Sustain. 2019, 2, 267–273. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wu, J. Urban ecology and sustainability: The state-of-the-science and future directions. Landsc. Urban Plan. 2014, 125, 209–221. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Xu, L.; Marinova, D.; Guo, X. Resilience thinking: A renewed system approach for sustainability science. Sustain. Sci. 2015, 10, 123–138. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Adger, N.W.; Hughes, T.P.; Folke, C.; Carpenter, S.R.; Rockstroem, J. Social-ecological resilience to coastal disaster. Science 2005, 309, 1036–1039. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pudar, R.; Ivetić, M.; Plavšić, J. Primer vrednovanja ekosistema u funkciji zaštite od poplava na slivu Tamnave (An Example of Ecosystem Valuation for Flood Protection in the Tamnava Basin). Vodoprivreda 2021, 53, 131–142. [Google Scholar]
- Ristić, R.; Radić, B.; Miljanović, V.; Trivan, G.; Ljujić, M.; Letić, L.; Savić, R. Blue-Green Corridors as a Tool for Mitigation of Natural Hazards and Restoration of Urbanized Areas: A Case Study of Belgrade City. Spatium 2013, 30, 18–22. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wang, J.; Foley, K. Assessing the performance of urban open space for achieving sustainable and resilient cities: A pilot study of two urban parks in Dublin, Ireland. Urban For. Urban Green. 2021, 62, 1618–8667. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Uredba o Utvrđivanju Plana Upravljanja Vodama na Teritoriji Republike Srbije do 2027. Godine (Decree Establishing the Water Management Plan in the Territory of the Republic of Serbia until 2027); Sl. Glasnik RS, no 33/2023; Službeni Glasnik Republike Srbije: Belgrade, Serbia, 2023.
- Cvejić, J.; Despotović, J.; Obratov-Petković, D.; Tutundžić, A. Kompatibilnost alternativnih rešenja regulacije poplavnih voda i revitalizacija malih gradskih vodotoka (Compatibility of Alternative Flood Water Management Solutions and the Revitalization of Small Urban Watercourses). In Inženjerski Rizik i Hazard u Urbanom Sistemu Beograda (Engineering Risk and Hazard in the Urban System of Belgrade); Zlatanović-Tomašević, V., Božović, B., Eds.; Association of Engineers and Technicians of Belgrade and the Assembly of the City of Belgrade: Belgrade, Serbia, 2002; pp. 169–174. [Google Scholar]
- Despotović, J. Kanalisanje Kišnih Voda (The Rainwater Channeling); Faculty of Civil Engineering: Belgrade, Serbia, 2009; pp. 387–407. [Google Scholar]
- Ćorović, D.; Blagojević, L. Water, Society and Urbanization in the 19th Century Belgrade: Lessons for Adaptation to the Climate Change. Spatium 2012, 28, 53–59. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wilkinson, C. Social-ecological resilience: Insights and issues for planning theory. Plan. Theory 2011, 11, 148–169. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Holland, J. Emergence: From Chaos to Order; Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK, 1998. [Google Scholar]
- Berkes, F.; Colding, J.; Folke, C. Navigating Social-Ecological Systems: Building Resilience for Complexity and Change; Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, 2003; pp. 1–20. [Google Scholar]
- McHarg, I.L. Design with Nature; The Natural History Press: New York, NY, USA, 1969; pp. 67–117. [Google Scholar]
- Živković, J.; Lalović, K.; Milojević, M.; Nikezić, A. Multifunctional public open spaces for sustainable cities: Concept and application. Facta Univ. Ser. Archit. Civ. Eng. 2019, 17, 205–219. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Perini, K. Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies. In Urban Sustainability and River Restoration. Blue and Green Infrastructure; Perini, K., Sabbion, P., Eds.; John Wiley & Sons: London, UK, 2017; pp. 10–16. [Google Scholar]
- Green Infrastructure (GI)—Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital; COM/2013/0249 Final. Available online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A52013DC0249 (accessed on 15 May 2024).
- Scott, M.; Lennon, M.; Haase, D.; Kazmierczak, A.; Clabby, G.; Beatley, T. Nature-based solutions for the contemporary city/Re-naturing the city/Reflections on urban landscapes, ecosystems services and nature-based solutions in cities/Multifunctional green infrastructure and climate change adaptation: Brownfield greening as an adaptation strategy for vulnerable communities?/Delivering green infrastructure through planning: Insights from practice in Fingal, Ireland/Planning for biophilic cities: From theory to practice. Plan. Theory Pract. 2016, 17, 267–300. [Google Scholar]
- Perini, K. Green and Blue Infrastucture in Cities. In Urban Sustainability and River Restoration. Blue and Green Infrastructure; Perini, K., Sabbion, P., Eds.; John Wiley & Sons: London, UK, 2017; pp. 1–9. [Google Scholar]
- Pudar, R.; Plavšić, J.; Todorović, A. Evaluation of Green and Grey Flood Mitigation Measures in Rural Watersheds. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6913. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Carmona, M.; Heath, T.; Oc, T.; Tiesdell, S. Public Places—Urban Spaces: The Dimensions of Urban Design; Architectural Press: Oxford, UK, 2003; pp. 57–210. [Google Scholar]
- Gehl, J. Cities for People, 1st ed.; Iceland Press: Washington DC, USA, 2010. [Google Scholar]
- Peincarght, K. Uses & Activities: How to Create Multi-Purpose Places. Available online: https://www.pps.org/article/uses-activities (accessed on 12 February 2024).
- Peincartght, K. Sociability: Public Spaces as an Antidote to Isolation. Projects for Public Places. Available online: https://www.pps.org/article/sociability-public-spaces-as-an-antidote-to-isolation (accessed on 18 January 2024).
- Surico, J. Access & Linkages: How to Connect People to Places. Project for Public Spaces. Available online: https://www.pps.org/article/access-linkages-how-to-connect-people-to-places (accessed on 29 January 2024).
- Madden, K. How to Turn a Place Around: A Placemaking Handbook; Project for Public Spaces: New York, NY, USA, 2018; pp. 11–14. [Google Scholar]
- Carr, S.; Francis, M.; Rivlin, L.; Stone, A. Needs in Public Space. In Urban Design Reader, 1st ed.; Carmona, M., Tiesdell, S., Eds.; Elsevier and Architectural Press: Oxford, UK, 2007; pp. 230–240. [Google Scholar]
- White, W. The Design of Space. In The City Reader; LeGates, R., Stout, P., Eds.; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 2003; pp. 109–117. [Google Scholar]
- Carmona, M. Principles for public space design, planning to do better. Urban Des. Int. 2019, 24, 47–59. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Naya, R.B.; de la Cal Nicolás, P.; Medina, C.D.; Ezquerra, I.; Grazia-Perez, S.; Monvlus, J. Quality of public space and sustainable development goals: Analysis of nine urban projects in Spanish cities. Front. Archit. Res. 2023, 12, 477–495. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Peincartght, K. Comfort and Image: How to Create a Welcoming Place. Projects for Public Places. Available online: https://www.pps.org/article/comfort-and-image-how-to-create-a-welcoming-place (accessed on 17 June 2024).
- Lynch, K. What Time Is This Place; The MIT Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 1972. [Google Scholar]
- Bobić, M. The Role of Time Function in City Spatial Structures Past and Present; Avebury: Aldershot, UK, 1990. [Google Scholar]
- Yin, R.K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 4th ed.; Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, 2009; pp. 3–60. [Google Scholar]
- Given, L.M. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods; Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, 2012; pp. 68–71. [Google Scholar]
- Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Upotreba IKT u Republici Srbiji, 2023. (Use of ICT in the Republic of Serbia, 2023); Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia: Belgrade, Serbia, 2023. [Google Scholar]
- Moughtin, C.; Cuesta, R.; Sarris, C.; Signoretta, P. Urban Design. Method and Techniques, 2nd ed.; Architectural Press: Oxford, UK, 2003; pp. 73–99. [Google Scholar]
- Karimi, K. A Configurational Approach to Analytical Urban Design: ‘Space syntax’ methodology. Urban Des. Int. 2012, 17, 297–318. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade. General Regulation Plan for the Construction Area of the City of Belgrade (Sections I-XIII); Službeni List Grada Beograda no 20/16; The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade: Belgrade, Serbia, 2016. [Google Scholar]
- The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade. Detailed Regulation Plan for the Area Between the Kumodraz Stream and the Settlement of Padina; Službeni List Grada Beograda no 73/21; The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade: Belgrade, Serbia, 2021. [Google Scholar]
- Echols, S.; Pennypacker, E. From Stormwater Management to Artful Rain-water Design. Landsc. J. 2008, 27, 268–290. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade. General Regulation Plan for the Network of Green Areas of Belgrade; Službeni List Grada Beograda no 110/19; The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade: Belgrade, Serbia, 2019. [Google Scholar]
- The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade. Detailed Regulation Plan for the New Collector in Kumodraz (I and II Phase); Službeni List Grada Beograda no 36/15; The Urban Planning Institute of Belgrade: Belgrade, Serbia, 2015. [Google Scholar]
- Carmona, M. Re-theorising contemporary public space: A new narrative and a new normative. J. Urban. Int. Res. Placemaking Urban Sustain. 2015, 8, 373–405. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chou, R.J. Achieving Successful River Restoration in Dense Urban Areas: Lessons from Taiwan. Sustainability 2016, 8, 1159. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Morrish, W.R.; Brown, C.R. Infrastructure for the New Social Compact. In Writing Urbanism. A Design Reader; Kelbaugh, D., Krankel McCullough, K., Eds.; Routledge: New York, NY, USA, 1995; pp. 138–154. [Google Scholar]
Comfort and Character | Connectivity, Integration and Accessibility |
---|---|
|
|
Activities and Use | Social Qualities |
|
|
Problem | Frequency | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Littering of streams and surrounding areas | 267 | 77.2 |
Untreated wastewater discharge into streams | 295 | 85.3 |
Inaccessibility of streams | 107 | 30.9 |
Flooding | 25 | 7.2 |
Underutilization of areas that can be used for socialization and recreation | 166 | 48 |
Unappealing look | 120 | 34.7 |
Illegal construction along the banks | 118 | 34.1 |
Unsanitary informal settlements surrounding waterways | 146 | 42.2 |
Lack of fish and other wildlife due to pollution | 98 | 28.3 |
Areas feel unsafe due to poor access and/or lack of maintenance | 60 | 17.3 |
Degraded ecosystem | 111 | 32.1 |
Illegal Construction along the Banks (%) | Inaccessibility of Streams (%) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Age | No | Yes | No | Yes |
18–24 | 22.9 | 20.3 | 25.2 | 15 |
25–34 | 17.6 | 28.8 | 22.3 | 19.6 |
35–44 | 30.8 | 28 | 30.7 | 28.0 |
45–54 | 11.5 | 7.6 | 9.2 | 12.1 |
55–64 | 10.1 | 3.4 | 7.6 | 8.4 |
65+ | 7 | 11.9 | 5 | 16.8 |
Strengths | Weaknesses |
---|---|
|
|
Opportunities | Threats |
|
|
Spatial Units with Different Appearances and Characteristics | Frequency | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Historical parks | 98 | 28.3 |
Natural park with educational elements | 188 | 54.3 |
Art in open space | 63 | 18.2 |
Walkways along streams | 313 | 90.5 |
Park rich in nature and wildlife | 229 | 66.2 |
Areas for relaxation and observation of local flora and fauna | 186 | 53.8 |
Spaces for interaction with water | 180 | 52 |
Spaces for socialization and relaxation | 92 | 26.6 |
Gathering places and areas for public performances | 46 | 13.3 |
Restaurants and cafes | 33 | 9.5 |
Restaurants and Cafes (%) | ||
---|---|---|
Age | No | Yes |
18–24 | 19.6 | 45.5 |
25–34 | 22.1 | 15.2 |
35–44 | 31.7 | 18.2 |
45–54 | 10.3 | 9.1 |
55–64 | 8 | 6.1 |
65+ | 9 | 6.1 |
Activity | Frequency | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Fishing | 90 | 26 |
Swimming and playing in the water | 95 | 27.5 |
Walking and hiking | 318 | 91.9 |
Dog walking | 144 | 41.6 |
Cycling and rollerblading | 228 | 65.9 |
Mini golf | 21 | 6.1 |
Skate parks | 20 | 5.8 |
Kayaking and canoeing | 113 | 32.7 |
Ice skating trails | 59 | 17.1 |
Playgrounds | 150 | 43.4 |
Plein air painting and outdoor art | 88 | 25.4 |
Sports fields | 89 | 25.7 |
Comfort and Character | |
---|---|
Space Quality Attribute | Capacity Improvement Measures and Guidelines for Urban Design |
Connections between water and banks | Riparian areas are especially important. Create a clear boundary of retention, using rocks in some areas and natural vegetation in others. This area should be attractive and rich in diverse plants. Designate places for interaction with water in a safe way. Overall, 52% of respondents highlighted spaces for interaction with water. |
Climate-responsible design | Use nature-based systems, increase the amount of greenery, provide various sunshade structures, use trees and shrubs as windbreaks, utilize flood control structures in a multifunctional way and manage water levels and flood waves with designated flood zones and retention areas. |
Diversity and visibility of green infrastructure | Utilizing natural materials and vegetation and nature-based systems can greatly contribute to the collection and treatment of stormwater and wastewater. Integrate a wide range of systems and make them visible and accessible for educational purposes. Overall, 54.3% of respondents highlighted natural parks with educational elements. |
Protection of floodplains | Preserve the undeveloped space surrounding the Kumodraz stream in order to enable future expansion and adaptation to climate change. Preserved floodplains are recognized as a strength. |
Integration of flood control structures in attractive ways | With natural channel design, it is very important to integrate nature-based systems in a visually appealing way. They should be positioned to be accessible, with retention as the central element, allowing safe access, and with plant selections that enhance the quality of the space. Detention basins should be integrated as attractive spaces that can be used daily—for example, as playgrounds, mini-golf areas or parks. |
Presence of water-permeable surfaces | Potentially, the entire area can be preserved as a permeable surface, with natural paths and walkways. Overall, 46.6% of respondents preferred elevated paths, while 40.8% preferred naturally designed paths. |
Adaptability | Use nature-based living systems that can adapt to varying amounts of precipitation. Utilize multifunctional flood control structures. |
Transformability | Using aquatic systems for water treatment can improve the water quality, allowing for activities like swimming and fishing, while also restoring animal and plant life. Overall, 27.5% of respondents chose swimming and playing in the water as a desirable activity, and 26% preferred fishing. |
Biodiversity | It is important to enhance existing ecosystems and introduce compatible species. Consider selecting plants that will attract birds or butterflies. Overall, 53.8% of the respondents highlighted areas for relaxation and the observation of flora and fauna. |
Use of green infrastructure and water in a safe way | When designing retention areas, safety is crucial. In wet habitats, it is important to plant dense vegetation to prevent public access to unsafe areas. Design access to nature-based systems with safety in mind. Designate areas adjacent to retention areas where it is safe to interact with the water. Ensure that access points and paths are fenced. Place markers to indicate where the floodplain begins. |
Dynamics of space | Design diverse open public spaces along the watercourse. Enhance the dynamism of the water flow. Create places where the water cascades, producing sounds while flowing over rocks, etc. Introduce wetland expansions along the watercourse to slow down the stream [61]. |
Connectivity, Integration and Accessibility | |
---|---|
Space Quality Attribute | Capacity Improvement Measures and Guidelines for Urban Design |
Connection to other open public spaces along the watercourse | Different areas along the watercourse should be designed holistically, connecting ecosystems and ensuring a cohesive form, visual appeal and functionality. |
Connection with other green areas within the city boundaries | Establish pedestrian and bicycle paths that link with surrounding urban forests and green corridors in the wider area. |
Pedestrian connections | When asked about their preferred activities along restored streams, 91.9% of respondents chose walking. Pedestrian paths should extend along the entire open public space, especially along the watercourse, with easy connections to the surrounding areas and nearby green spaces. |
Cycle routes | Two-thirds of the respondents (65.9%) believed that it is essential to have bicycle and rollerblading paths. These paths, together with pedestrian routes along the stream, will link the riverbanks to other parts of the city. |
Responsiveness to citizens’ cultural attitudes relating to public spaces | Based on the photographs provided in the survey, citizens prefer a more natural look. Therefore, landscaping should prioritize native species and avoid overly formal designs to encourage the return of nature through urban green corridors. |
Interconnection of places with pathways and water crossings | Special attention should be given to intersections between bike routes and pedestrian paths or where paths from residential areas connect with open public spaces. These intersections should be carefully designed and equipped with appropriate street furniture. Places where they intersect with the stream offer numerous opportunities to design different types of crossings using natural materials. |
Areas that allow water to be observed from above | Elevated walkways and various crossings allow water to be observed from above, providing an attractive solution. The elevated boardwalk option was selected by 46.6% of respondents. |
Integration of existing barriers into the space | In the underdeveloped areas surrounding the stream, logs, old walls and infrastructure remains are often found. It is necessary to remove all barriers and creatively integrate these elements into the space wherever possible, revitalizing them with local art. |
Accessibility for users with special needs | Ensure that all pedestrian paths are accessible to people with disabilities. According to the survey results, individuals aged 65 and above considered it crucial to improve accessibility. Provide accessible crossings over the water, considering slopes, widths and potential obstacles, such as steps. |
Activities and Uses | |
---|---|
Space Quality Attribute | Capacity Improvement Measures and Guidelines for Urban Design |
Compatibility with surrounding uses | The area is bordered by multiple residential neighborhoods, some of which are informal settlements with plans for future regulation. The green corridor of the Kumodraz stream is seen as a potentially significant recreational center for the neighborhood. |
Various options for different groups of users—something for everyone | Various activities can be grouped into different areas, each with a primary function and a range of supporting activities. |
Temporal compatibility | One way to utilize the same space differently in summer and winter is by converting walkways into ice skating paths during winter. Overall, 17.1% of respondents expressed a desire for skating paths along the stream. This transforms the character of the space entirely between summer and winter. Likewise, detention basins that are filled with water during high-water periods can be used for different activities during low-water periods. |
Grouping activities in space | Some activities occur along the entire length of the stream, while others are confined to specific open public spaces along the stream. Combine complementary activities within dedicated spaces with a unique character, emphasizing one or two dominant activities along with several supporting ones. |
Support exploration and discovery | Provide discovery kit rentals (binoculars, maps, etc.) for both children and adults and ensure access to nature. |
Establishing a relationship between people and water though a variety of activities | Encourage users to make direct contact with the water, allowing activities on the water, such as swimming or fishing, as well as opportunities to observe and learn about water elements. Overall, 27.5% of respondents highlighted swimming and playing in the water, and 26% highlighted fishing. |
Interactivity | Provide safe access to water and/or through water where feasible and enable users to interact with their surroundings. |
Social Quality | |
---|---|
Space Quality Attribute | Capacity Improvement Measures and Guidelines for Urban Design |
Spaces that support education | According to the survey results, 54.3% of the respondents chose natural parks with educational aspects. To create a park with educational content, it is important to incorporate informational boards that form an engaging narrative and reflect the different zones within the space. These boards should aim to educate citizens about the importance of preserving nature and maintaining nature-based systems, the role of native species and biodiversity and ways to respond to flash floods. Additionally, it is essential to include educational boards designed specifically for children, using materials that are easily understandable among them. |
Designated areas for the elderly, children and people with special needs | Respondents living closer to the stream preferred children’s playgrounds (58%). Along the walkways, more space should be dedicated to children’s playgrounds, composed of natural materials, with the possibility of incorporating water features to enhance their appeal. The areas should also be designed and equipped to meet the needs of specific users—for example, with sensory considerations—ensuring that they are accessible to people with disabilities. |
Areas for people to socialize | Create spaces that encourage socializing and interaction between users along the stream and in the retention area. Overall, 48% of respondents found the lack of socializing and recreation options in these areas important. Although the total sample considered cafes and restaurants undesirable, the 18–24 age group found them attractive. |
Areas for pets | Designate specific areas for pets. Overall, 41.6% of respondents preferred dog walking as an activity. |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Sretovic Brkovic, V.; Djukic, A. The Role of Urban Design in Creating Resilient Public Open Spaces Surrounding Urban Small Watercourses: A Case Study of the Kumodraz Stream in Belgrade. Sustainability 2024, 16, 5723. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135723
Sretovic Brkovic V, Djukic A. The Role of Urban Design in Creating Resilient Public Open Spaces Surrounding Urban Small Watercourses: A Case Study of the Kumodraz Stream in Belgrade. Sustainability. 2024; 16(13):5723. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135723
Chicago/Turabian StyleSretovic Brkovic, Visnja, and Aleksandra Djukic. 2024. "The Role of Urban Design in Creating Resilient Public Open Spaces Surrounding Urban Small Watercourses: A Case Study of the Kumodraz Stream in Belgrade" Sustainability 16, no. 13: 5723. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135723