The Spanish architectural firm PRÁCTICA has launched an exciting transformation of Cluj-Napoca’s Somes River, turning a 15-kilometer stretch of riverbanks into a connected green corridor. This project, the result of an international competition in 2017, spans across different urban zones, from the historic center to industrial and residential areas.
Beyond the aesthetic changes, the project focuses on ecological restoration. The riverbanks are being widened to support diverse plant life and create new habitats. By controlling invasive species and promoting biodiversity, the design aims to improve the local ecosystem and help with CO2 absorption.
This project produces a diverse range of solutions to the varied conditions of the river Somes. It reimagines the role of the river as it crosses the city of Cluj-Napoca for over 15 kilometers.
The river Somes is no longer understood as a thin line that divides the city in half. On the contrary, it is redesigned as a thick band that is part of the city fabric. It incorporates distinct ecological systems and integrates public space. The Somes is envisioned as an urban connector of public spaces and green areas. It also becomes the primary circulation path for pedestrians and bicycles. Thus, this proposal aims to bridge that gap between the river and the city.
Firstly, a system of terraces expands the river’s edge and allows it to permeate into the urban fabric. As the river section is widened, the existing hard edge is transformed into a softer and more natural environment. It is now able to include systems of local vegetation, rocks, and sand. This system of terraces allows the river to become more accessible and incorporates areas for recreation where a diverse range of activities can take place.
Secondly, a system of longitudinal bicycle and pedestrian paths gives continuity to the circulation routes along the river, currently fragmented, and allows the Somes to become the primary spine of movement throughout the city.
Thirdly, a system of diagonal paths aims to stitch the river and its immediate context. These paths redefine the existing urban connections by extending them to the water’s edge, creating a visual and physical connection between the city fabric and the river.
Somes River Project Details:
Architects: PRÁCTICA
Local architects: Planwerk
Client: Cluj-Napoca Municipality
Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Area: 332.137 sqm
Status: Completed
Photography: © PRACTICA
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