LANDSCAPE DESIGN & PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE CITY

30/05/2023

Viewing Deck Park in Jebel Jais Mountain, RAK, UAE

EARTH COMPOSED Awards: Salon Plaque. 8th International Landscape Architecture Exhibition. 1st award on 28st. International Urban Planner's Exhibition. Status: Built in 2017 Lead Senior Landscape Architects: Jelena Rakocija, Marko Dimanic for Consultants: Naga Architects, Dubai PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposal for 22730 square meter park with viewing decks as main feature and socialization areas for pleasure and views, is derived from the site perceptual potential, its sharp arid natural character and Arabic cultural contex. The cultural relevance of the arabesque, inspired the expression of the project narrative. Walking experience is ensured through fragmented plan proposal that encourages balanced intertwining between the wild and the tame, allowing for the future growth of the new landscape. Solar lighting, native plants and locally-sourced materials have been used to ensure sustainable management of the project and its contextual integration within natural setting.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Park, Abu Dhabi " GATEWAY TO HEALTHY LIFE"

Status: Concept Design Lead Senior Landscape Architects: Jelena Rakocija, Marko Dimanic for Consultants: Naga Architects, Dubai PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Park is a vision for Abu Dhabi’s contemporary urban landscape design approach to promote the unity of an Arabic cultural identity through the perception of urban landscape, as an “unwritten” but uncompromising rule of cohesion within the cityscape. The Islamic Arch, as a primary source of inspiration, manifests itself in the entrance square, initiating a procession from the gate to the park — gateway to healthy life. Continuous pedestrian walkways, meandering through the park propagating walking routes and a livable open space experience, extend and connect the whole neighborhood with the sea edge in a vibrant flow of life. Finally, a visit to the park will be an experience of enjoyment and emotion, a place for contemplation and reflection; allowing intimate moments with nature and exchanges with botany. But also place for activity; a space for families, children, sports, and a stage for shows and cultural events.

BIOCLIMATIC PINECONE HILLPARK ENVIRONMENTALY RESPONASBLE VISION FOR THE FUTURE

AL Bouruj Residential Parks, Cairo, Egypt

Status: Concept Design Senior Landscape Architects: Jelena Rakocija, Marko Dimanic for Consultants: Naga Architects, Dubai Description: The Dry Earth as Concept idea reflects upon the landscape idea of cultural specific correlation to nature and terrain in Egypt : arid desert landscape

Thessaloniki's Waterfront Landscape Design

GREECE, THESSALONIKI COMPOSED: rhythmic eco-cultural interaction Thessaloniki's Waterfront Landscape Design Awards: 1st award on 21st. International Urban Planner's Exhibition, Belgrade, Serbia. Status: Concept Design PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Purpose of the Thessaloniki’s waterfront landscape design project is to make complete study of landscape architecture for shaping of the eastern waterfront of Thessaloniki, on location between Concert hall and military camp Kodra. Completion of the study of open space design includes site analysis based on social-ecological and perceptual criteria with the goal of finding suitable conceptual solutions, up to the implementation of creative and imaginative design proposal for urban landscape. Goal of the recovery of the seashore is to increase the level of utilization of the site and creation of urban open space network.

Budva Promenade: GARDEN CITY INVENTED: EMBRACING THE LANDSCAPE / CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE

BUDVA COMPOSED Status: Competition Entry, Concept Design 2023. Description: Proposal for the Competition for the Development of a Conceptual urban and architectural design for the promenade in the "Budva Bay" part of the Budva-Bečići promenade, phase I 01 CONCEPTUAL EXPLANATION OF THE DESIGN: DESIGN PHILOSOPHY: GARDEN CITY INVENTED: BUDVA EMBRACING THE LANDSCAPE. CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE NATURE + CULTURE + ART & URBAN LIFE The waterfront is but one component of a much larger natural system that must be considered in its full context. Budva is characterized by single use dominant developments along the water’s edge, which leads to underutilized waterfronts. Instead of economical edge, there is a possibility for connecting people with the water edge in multiple dimensions and through diverse interactions with the landscape by creating places for people to gather and enjoy the beauty of Budva landscape, places that are inspring , contextual and resistant WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO BUDVA’S UNIQUENESS? Displaying the light of Budva living wisdom over thousands of years, Budva is not only acknowledged as a masterpiece of nature, but also a visionary oasis of culture, art and urban life. Budva should keep the MEMORY of Monte Nergro Cultural history and ambient characteristics can be greatly transformed into landscape language and applied to the park design. The invented Gardens is a memory of the past that celebrates the magic land carved by natural environment and century’s long history. 1. NATURAL GEOMORPHIC CHARACTERISTICS Mountain DOMINATED LANDSCAPES Known as home to diverse Mediterranean vegetation, Monte negro displays its mystique and magnificence through continuous surrounded by tall mountains, waterfalls, rivers, Sea The mountains of Budva representing the unique form and beauty with substantial variations. WATER DOMINATED LANDSCAPES Water is considered among the most treasured natural resources in the region, therefore, the force of water is particularly unique in shaping the geomorphic characteristics. WATERFALL among hilly areas, waterfall is another magnificent landscape born with relatively high volume of water and height difference characterizing the surrounding natural Budva landscape. 2. UNIQUE BUDVA AESTHETIC derived from historic memory One of the very unique Roman mosaics of Dragon and Delfine.

Urban Park in Priboj

Status: Competition entry, Concept Design

ECOhesion Green Infrastructure from the Forest to the Seafront, Thessaloniki, Greece

Awards: Recognition on 23d. International Urban Planner's Exhibition for the landscape competition project, Belgrade, Serbia Status: Competition Entry, Concept Design Description: Landscape design project proposal for the re-synthesis of the cityscape of Tritis Septemvriou street, Greece, is based on a holistic approach to sustainability, with an attempt to integrate environmental, social, perceptual and contextual relevance of the site. The purpose of the project is the recalibration and rehabilitation of natural and cultural potentials of the site and creation of synergy between urban activities and wildlife habitat within the urban fabric of the city of Thessaloniki. Landscape design proposal introduces a system of free open spaces connecting the suburban stream and the forest landscape with the city’s water edge. Interchange of two dominant natural energies has been characterized with the process of eCOHESION that produces living green filters along the street line. In that sense, natural landscape serves as an agent in sublimation of cultural and ecological qualities of urban space, named as the eCOHESION.

AGGELOCHORI: PARK OF LIGHT, Greece

Awards: Recognition on the 22nd. International Urban Planner's Exhibition, Nis, Serbia Special Award on the 5th International Landscape Architecture Exhibition, Belgrade, Serbia Status: Concept Design Description: Landscape Design Proposal for Natural Suburban Landscape in Greecce, Aggelochori. Project for the redesigning of the part of the city - Aggelochori suburban site situated on the cliffs overlooking Thessaloniki bay near the city of Thessaloniki with historical landmark of Lighthouse. ECOLOGICAL VALUE: Given location is characterized by reach natural landscape developed in the reign of the seashore, combining different types of landscape, such as: coastal landscape, meadow and landscape on mild and steep slopes, agricultural landscape PERCEPTUAL VALUE The views from the site stretch out in three main directions: - on the north lies the city of Thessaloniki - on the south open Aegean sea -on the south-west Mount Olympus. The surrounding tall grass rounds up the romantic feeling of the place and adds a “wild look” to the whole area: a feature that should be surely kept. HISTORICAL VALUE / IDENTITY The lighthouse as landmark of the site, bunker from the Second World War Ottoman monument gives the historical value to the location as an archeological landscape. The proposal for improving the site should include creation of spaces for cultural happenings and education. CONCLUSION The proposal for improving the Lighthouse area should include creation of spaces for cultural happenings, recreation and education. Flexible way of occupying the landscape is necessary for the success of the project. Basic approaches of the design concept of the area would be: sustainability of authentic ambient, marking of existing characteristics using the method of contrast and introduction of new processes and activities, which will strengthen the comprehension of its meaning (uses, history, nature and symbols). Τo try and put emphasis on the romantic, untouched atmosphere of the place surrounding the lighthouse. CONCEPT: PARK OF LIGHT Multiple activities, views, and landscape elements are brought together into one legible park, PARK OF LIGHT with landscape that emphasis historical landscape of the site, costal landscape and agricultural landscape and in that sense “gives light” to three entities: MIND, SPIRIT and LIFE as a way to preserve PAST, inspire PRESENT and celebrate the FUTURE.

Urban Square of Toplica Heroes in Prokuplje, Serbia

Public Fountain on "Sindjelić Square" in Niš, Serbia

Awards: 2nd award for design of Public Fountain on "Sindjelić Square" in Niš, April 2011. Status: Competition Entry, Concept Design Description:

Концептуални пејзажни дизајн за простор испред цркве Св. Василија у Нишу, Србија /// Conceptual landscape design for open space in front of the entrance to the Church of St. Vasilije, Nis, Serbia

година дизајна 2024. Инспирација за дизајн црквеног улазнаог простора преузета је из Хришћанско_византијског архитектонско наслеђе. Византијску архитектуру карактерише тежња ка равнотежи и лепоти. Оно што инспирише јесте хармоничан, готово поетски однос према природном окружењу, грчки „топос”. Сврха предложеног пројекта је рехабилитација културних потенцијала локалитета и стварање синергије између урбаних активности и сакралног духовно живота верника у оквиру новог урбаног ткива града Ниша, кроз процес спознаје и сјединјенја човека са Богом. Како би се то постигло, узет је ранохришћански приказ круга у кругу као главно карактерно обелжје централног отвореног простора испред улаза у цркву Св Василија. Поплочање око цркве се предвиђа од бетонских плоча у беж боји камена, а од подне црвене опеке се формира круга у кругу и тако одређује простор који повезује вернике. На самом приступу цркви постоји висински пад у односу на ниво булевара. Ту су предвиђене степенице широког газишта које се по негде претварају и у амфитеатрално седење са садницама медитеранског, ароматичног биља лаванде, рузмарина, босиљка, нане, оригана као и патуљастог дрвећа: розе јапанска трешња, жалосни брест, магнолија, олијандери и ниских украсних четинара: тује, жбунасти кедар, стубаста тиса, топиари: спирална туја, лоптаста... На тај начин, формира се амбијентална целина којом се отвара приступ и поглед ка цркви и где се остварује визуелна транзиција из урбаноиг према сакралном простору цркве. Амфитеатрално продужено степениште постаје пријатан простор за седење, одмор и боравак деце и верника, са мирисима биља и погледом на цркву. /// The inspiration for the design of the church entrance space is taken from the Christian Byzantine architectural heritage. Byzantine architecture is characterized by the pursuit of balance and beauty. What inspires is a harmonious, almost poetic relationship to the natural environment, the Greek "topos". The purpose of the proposed project is to rehabilitate the cultural potential of the site and create synergy between urban activities and the sacred spiritual life of believers within the new urban fabric of the city of Niš, through the process of cognition and union of man with God. In order to achieve this, the early Christian depiction of a circle within a circle was taken as the main characteristic feature of the central open space in front of the entrance to the Church of St. Vasilije in Nis, Serbia. The paving around the church is planned to be made of concrete slabs in the color of beige stone, and a circle within a circle is formed from the red floor bricks, thus defining the space that connects believers. At the very approach to the church there is a height drop in relation to the level of the boulevard. There are planned stairs with a wide tread that in some places turn into an amphitheatrical seating area with seedlings of Mediterranean aromatic herbs such as lavender, rosemary, basil, mint, oregano, as well as dwarf trees: pink Japanese cherry, weeping elm, magnolia, oleander and low ornamental conifers: thuja, bush cedar, columnar yew, topiaries: spiral thuja,... In this way, an ambient whole is formed that opens access and a view of the church and where a visual transition is achieved from the urban to the sacral space of the church. The amphitheatrically extended staircase becomes a pleasant space for sitting, resting and staying for children and believers, with the scents of herbs and a view of the church.

TEEJAN LANDSCAEP INFRUSTUCTURE

PUBLIC LANDSCAPE COMPOSITION: BAY RESIDENCES, HAYAT ISLAND , RAK, UAE

with consultant Naga architects

Urban Acupunture, Volos, Greece

Status: Competition Entry, Concept Design Description: Landscape Design Proposal for Residential Block Regeneration in Volos, Greece

Megaro Park , Thessaloniki, Greece

Status: Concept Design Proposal

Kozani_Read It!

Status: Competition Entry, Concept Design Description: Landscape Design Proposal for Residential Block Regeneration in Kozani, Greece. Landscape as Dynamic and Vital Greek Ethno Ornamnet