Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herezogovina) 2017
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (Norway)
University of Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herezogovina)
University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The project included research on urban acupuncture, design of a small urban intervention and its construction (within a student workshop) at a specific location in an open public space. Students were faced with the challenge of critical thinking on scales of contemporary urban environment, as well as with problems of post-transitional contemporary cities, with reflection of innovative models in a proactive approach to urban transformations. This is one of the first architectural interventions in an open public space on the banks of River Vrbas in Banja Luka. The project therefore received generous attention both from the professional and general public and has in turn generated a number of other small changes and minor projects elsewhere in the city, and more are likely to follow. This little intervention has created a wider public awareness of the values embedded in Banja Lukaās public spaces and has generated public activities that acknowledge the importance of preserving and regenerating the cityās public spaces. Although it was built on what had become a marginalised space, the project made it accessible for an increasing number of everyday users so that by now it has become one of Banja Lukaās favorite small outdoor places. What makes this project one-of-a-kind? The wooden platform along the Vrbas river has enriched and reinvigorated that particular place in Banja Luka.
Client
āHERD Energyā, a tripartite university cooperation between the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the University of Sarajevo and the University of Banja Luka
The municipality of Banja Luka
Stakeholders
Individual neighbors and curious passersby, which through their active participation contributed to the design of the installation.
Technical collaborators
Slavko VasiljeviÄ and students: Miroslav VujasinoviÄ, Zoran Kokeza, Aleksandar ŽivkoviÄ (University of Banja Luka ā Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy).
Tutors
Norwegian university of science and technology NTNU: Markus Schwai
Centre for spatial research (NGO), Banja Luka: Igor KuvaÄ, Slobodan PeuliÄ, Una UmiÄeviÄ, Isidora Karan,
University of Banja Luka: Radovan VukomanoviÄ, Dragan ZrniÄ
University of Sarajevo: Mladen Burazor
Students
NTNU students: Kristine Tokvam Karlsen, Rebecca BjĆørge, Ane Janzy Yde, Hannah Hoem Grelland, Marie Langsholt Holmqvist, Elisabeth Dybdahl, Michelle Schmidt, Zdravko ŽivanoviÄ, Martin Vevatne
University of Banja Luka: Maja MediÄ, Neda MediÄ, Darja Premasunac, NebojÅ”a JeremiÄ, Nemanja TopiÄ, BoÅ”ko MiljeviÄ, ÄorÄe RaljiÄ
University of Sarajevo: Emina AliÄ, Danijela JeliÄ, Maja GlaviniÄ, Nejra Basara, Zulija HaliloviÄ, Jusuf Kreso, Gem Slaku, Ismar Muslija;
Additional collaborators: Collaborators: Slavko VasiljeviÄ, M. Geodesy, students: Miroslav VujasinoviÄ, Zoran Kokeza, Aleksandar ŽivkoviÄ (University of Banja Luka ā Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy)
Research question
How to regenerate a public area, re-gain ownership for local inhabitants and try new ways of participation contemporarily?
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Uni of Banja Luka, Uni of Sarajevo, Engineering, Architecture, Client-funded, Permanent, Initiated by institution, Months, Self-funded, 11-50, Undergraduate, Curricular, Students with tutor, NTNU
