124 – HB7343 – GAMMA A&U SRL

Main Author: GAMMA A&U

Co-authors: arch. Andrei Jugărean, arch. Tudor Roșca, Iulia Chișiu, arch. Patricia Bibarț, arch. Denisa Cristea, arch. Iulia-Minerva Miclea

Architectural collaborator: arch. Remus Năstase

Specialty collaborators: eng.Tudor Măcicășan – transportation expert, arch. Diana Codrean – landscaping, arch. Daniel Neacșu – 3D renders, arch. Duma Cătălin – graphical presentation, Alexandru Trandafir – climate specialist, Andrei Acs – ecology specialist

“The jury appreciated the clear intention of the project to link the Danube waterfront to the civic square. At the same time, the vision of narrowing and closing the car circulation on Babadg Street, were specifically discouraged by the organizers both in the brief and Q&A as it should not be taken into account by the competitors as the basis of the proposal. Moreover, the ingenious proposal to create a basement in the perimeter of the market raises numerous problems, from increasing the costs of the intervention, to undefined uses between events, blocking pedestrian flows, up to the unwanted collection of rainwater from an excessively mineralized and sealed square. To the same extent, the canopy proposed over the square is out of scale compared with its proximities.” – appreciation of the Jury.

WHERE PATHS CONVERGE, PEOPLE AND IDEAS INTERSECT

THE BACKBONE OF TULCEA’S REAFFIRMED IDENTITY

The city of Tulcea does not reveal itself at first glance. Shaped by socio-political shifts, the city’s historical development reveals layers of complexity, marked by abrupt transformations, unfulfilled intentions in architecture and moments of discontinuity raising the question of alignment — or whether it is even possible to develop an integrated plan for the three main areas and a coherent strategy for the city center.

The diagram of the historical evolution of the city expresses this observation – the lack of existing of a clear city center. Previous streets from the Ottoman Empire, planned sistematizations from the socialist times that were not carried out completely, barely helped in shaping a real center for the city. In other words, the city was never meant to have an identity driven “center”, instead the focus was revolving around the idea of mediating the dynamic relation city – Danube river.

The core problem today lies in the absence of a coherent and logical spatial distribution, which prevents the city from having a clear narrative. The city’s multi-layerd beauty remains hidden, resulting in a lack of identity and recognizability. The aim of the project is to reorder existing elements with new interventions on site, as well as to create a central square that embeds the city in the 21th century.

BLUE-GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE LINK: In this spirit – flowing from the Danube river, a sequence of green spaces, parks, water features, areas for leisure and free time, local gathering points and playgrounds are proposed. These elements extend beyond the actual park and flow towards the city center.

THE URBAN DIAGONAL: From the northeast important buildings and institutions located north from the vision area marks the city at Gloriei and 14. Nov Street. A starting point, the urban fabric flows with touristic and economic potential down to Babadag street, where a pedestrian commercial and services axis unfolds, bringing movement, economic activity and dynamic life of a port city.

At their intersection a meeting point is formed – the public square – site of urban dialogue that stitches together these axis. Some would say: here, water meets the city again. As these two paths meet and cross, they influence and transform one another irrevocably.

What was formerly a commercial spine evolves and matures, taking an urban artistic-cultural character as it reaches the end of Babadag Street where theater, exhibitions, arts and festivals are to be found or dedicated space to. Meanwhile, the other path flows further through the main square, transforming itself into the official administrative and civic axis – a place where political decisions are shaped – a symbolic end point for a city historically shaped by water.

Following the same guideline, but from an anthropological standpoint, this public square is an urban scene that unifies and reinforces traditions as the city was built on them, framing the setting for many rhythms and rituals, whilst making up the substance of the everyday spectacle. This latter detail is what makes the square a special place.

Unbundling – centering – realignment

In the center of the square, one’s gaze can encompass all four directions and discover that the city is much more complex than it seems. Since the center can be reached from all cardinal points, the journey delivers eachtime a different experience, depending on the road taken. However, once arrived in the heart of the city, the center shall resurface a shared meaning which will expand outwards, offering a visual depth in all directions and covering the whole urban area. Tracking the already well-establish routine of most inhabitants, we find out that they tend to move towards the main square on Fridays and retreat from the city center on Sundays.

The symbolic meaning of the axis confirm that the public square is an amphitheater where the Danube river plays the main role in setting the identity of the city.