Improving the network of pedestrian spaces with the aim of connecting the Sava's and Danube's amphitheatre

Abstract

Considering the current trends of urban development of Belgrade with the aim of activating the areas along the banks of the Sava and Danube rivers, there is a need to consider the ways that could achieve connection among them. The establishment of a network of pedestrian directions that connect Sava's and Danube's Amphitheatre and which could be passed through the old city centre is allocated as one of the possible ways of thinking. In accordance with these objectives, Kosancicev venac was analysed as specific polygon located between Sava River and pedestrian zone of Knez Mihajlova Street. The methods that were used in analysis include method of direct surveying of inhabitants based on the Kevin Lynch's determination of the image of the city and a method of Space Syntax, with the aim to measure the intensity of pedestrian movement in the monitored territory. The study was conducted with students of the third year of Bachelor studies on the elected course "Network of pedestrian flows in function of urban redesign" at University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture. Summarizing and interpreting the collected data obtained three groups of results. First group of results has enabled the determination of the image of Kosancicev venac, composed of five elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks. The second group of results presents an overview of the intensity of pedestrian movement on the observed territory, compared with the content located along the path and with the distribution of elements of the image of the city. The third group covered the results of the individual design proposal on selected pedestrian network segment defined on the basis of established relationships, with the aim to make that place more attractive and visited by pedestrians. This research has indicated the potential of the analysed area for the formation of transverse and longitudinal pedestrian flows. On the one hand they could enable active use of Kosancicevog venac as one of the most important urban ambient of the city, as well as to represent a segment of longer paths that could integrate the connection of the Sava's and Danube's Amphitheatre.