The Line Project
Basic information
Project Title
The Line Project
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
The Line Project is a three stage project that involved collaboration of all urban actors within Bucharest. It was developed through participatory urbanism, aiming to create the first linear park in Bucharest by repurposing the abandoned railway on Liniei Street. The project took place during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the employment of technology in its implementation. The final result was a detailed design concept at the feasibility study level, endorsed by the community.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Bucharest, Romania
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The Line Project is a three-stage collaborative initiative between the Municipality of District 6 of Bucharest and UrbanizeHub that is centred around revitalizing a derelict railway traversing Liniei Street transforming it into the first 5km long linear park in Central and Eastern Europe. The project was developed through participatory urbanism, with close involvement from the citizens in the design process which resulted in the creation of seven distinct sections of the park meant to perfectly capture the spirit of the surrounding neighbourhood, and to address the wants and needs of the immediate inhabitants. It has an inclusive accessible design that provides functional versatility while enriching the park’s aesthetic quality and cultural significance, all while seamlessly integrating the natural aspect within the urban landscape. To better fit the needs of the park, a series of modular mini-parks have been designed in order to cater to diverse purposes such as commerce, relaxation, socialization, contemplation, art, and sports.
Liniei Park is a thoroughly sustainable endeavour, intertwining nature with green infrastructure while harnessing solar power. Sustainability was a major objective of the project, and the park reflects the overall goal of environmental consciousness – the park becoming a beacon of hope for the local community and a major green oasis for District 6 aiding to reduce the carbon footprint and promote self-sufficiency and flexibility within public spaces.
The park is meant to represent more than a recreational area, hoping to become a hub for social interactions, artistic displays, and promotion of a healthier lifestyle through the plethora of modules and sections it has. Other than the modules, the park boasts a sound cycling infrastructure and a bike sharing module. The hope for Liniei Park is to positively impact not only District 6 and Bucharest, but provide guidance for further replications.
Liniei Park is a thoroughly sustainable endeavour, intertwining nature with green infrastructure while harnessing solar power. Sustainability was a major objective of the project, and the park reflects the overall goal of environmental consciousness – the park becoming a beacon of hope for the local community and a major green oasis for District 6 aiding to reduce the carbon footprint and promote self-sufficiency and flexibility within public spaces.
The park is meant to represent more than a recreational area, hoping to become a hub for social interactions, artistic displays, and promotion of a healthier lifestyle through the plethora of modules and sections it has. Other than the modules, the park boasts a sound cycling infrastructure and a bike sharing module. The hope for Liniei Park is to positively impact not only District 6 and Bucharest, but provide guidance for further replications.
Key objectives for sustainability
Liniei Park was designed with sustainability in mind, first of all through infilling a disused space and transforming it into an extraordinary natural asset. It integrates green infrastructure and alternative transportation methods by providing cycling infrastructure. The project was not only designed with community input, but with the aid of multiple experts from different fields creating a truly holistic design, allowing for the creation and implementation of modules, some being multi-purpose such as the multifunctional zone, in order to provide the most features and activities to the park without the park feeling cluttered, all while reducing the strain on local resources needed for the creation of the modules. Modules like the multifunctional one can be rented for events, creating a stream of income for the park that can be utilized for maintenance and improvement of the existing facilities. All the human and economic activities will have a minimal impact on the environment due to the fact that the multifunctional modules have been designed in an environmentally conscious manner.
The park features solar panel that have the purpose of ensuring energy efficiency for the park while reducing the pollution and carbon footprint of District 6, while promoting the usage of green energy. Any extra energy that is produced will be sold and the profit will be used to cover park maintenance fees to ensure at least a partial economic independence and full energy independence.
The modular design of the park segments allows for changes to be made without affecting the overall look and usability of the park, ensuring that no matter what the future bring the park is ready to accommodate the wants and needs of its community and visitors alike.
The project puts an emphasis on the prevention of loss of biodiversity by fostering urban wildlife (such as squirrels, insects, hedgehogs) – and it was conceived respecting eco-design principles.
The park features solar panel that have the purpose of ensuring energy efficiency for the park while reducing the pollution and carbon footprint of District 6, while promoting the usage of green energy. Any extra energy that is produced will be sold and the profit will be used to cover park maintenance fees to ensure at least a partial economic independence and full energy independence.
The modular design of the park segments allows for changes to be made without affecting the overall look and usability of the park, ensuring that no matter what the future bring the park is ready to accommodate the wants and needs of its community and visitors alike.
The project puts an emphasis on the prevention of loss of biodiversity by fostering urban wildlife (such as squirrels, insects, hedgehogs) – and it was conceived respecting eco-design principles.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The Line Park places a strong emphasis on aesthetics and the quality of human experience, transforming Liniei Street into a vibrant citizen-centric green oasis. One of the project’s main objectives was creating an aesthetically pleasing environment to reflect the culture and diversity of the immediate areas surrounding the park, as well as perfectly combining the nature with the urban landscapes. This was an important feat which required strong direct implication from the local community resulting in the park’s seven sections inspired by the culture, aesthetics, wants and needs of the immediate inhabitants – thus combining the nature and surrounding buildings seamlessly creating an aesthetically distinctive park that thoroughly represents its area.
The modules further enhance the park’s aesthetic value and versatility – catering to diverse preferences and activities and ensuring a rich and varied visitor experience. Liniei Park represents a beautiful display of a citizen-centric aesthetically rich, culturally diverse and inclusive design. It has been designed to try and successfully accomplish a park for everyone, always, while trying to induce certain emotions within the visitors, such as internal peace, harmony, happiness – reducing the daily stress levels caused by urban issues as emotional benefit of visiting the park.
The involvement of the community creates a sense of belonging and community pride that enriches the experience for residents and visitors alike. Liniei Park sets a new standard for aesthetic and versatility values through its unique design that hopes to inspire future projects.
The modules further enhance the park’s aesthetic value and versatility – catering to diverse preferences and activities and ensuring a rich and varied visitor experience. Liniei Park represents a beautiful display of a citizen-centric aesthetically rich, culturally diverse and inclusive design. It has been designed to try and successfully accomplish a park for everyone, always, while trying to induce certain emotions within the visitors, such as internal peace, harmony, happiness – reducing the daily stress levels caused by urban issues as emotional benefit of visiting the park.
The involvement of the community creates a sense of belonging and community pride that enriches the experience for residents and visitors alike. Liniei Park sets a new standard for aesthetic and versatility values through its unique design that hopes to inspire future projects.
Key objectives for inclusion
The Line Project places a central focus on inclusion, aiming to make the Liniei Park an accessible, affordable, and inclusive space. The primary objective in this regard was ensuring the fact that the park caters to a diverse array of needs for the community, integrating elements of accessibility and affordability throughout the entire design. The local community played an important role in ensuring that accessibility and affordability are being met by the park, providing diverse perspectives and portraying their varied needs that were to be addressed by the creation of the park. Their direct involvement also helped create a sense of community ownership and eased the integration of the new park within the neighbourhood.
In terms of accessibility, Liniei Park was designed with universal designed principles in mind to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of physical abilities. The pathways are wheelchair-accessible, and the amenities and seating options for the modules have been designed mindfully to address the issue of accessibility and ensure a smooth park-going experience for everyone.
Affordability was another key consideration, the park being a public asset that is a free and open to all space. This ensures that one’s socio-economic status does not interfere with the park-going experience, and that everyone feels welcome and included in the shared facilities of the park. The varied nature of the modules, such as the multisport module, sport circuit area, urban culture model, are meant to provide a diverse number of activities for different age groups and interests, creating a truly inclusive for-everyone park.
In terms of accessibility, Liniei Park was designed with universal designed principles in mind to ensure accessibility for everyone, regardless of physical abilities. The pathways are wheelchair-accessible, and the amenities and seating options for the modules have been designed mindfully to address the issue of accessibility and ensure a smooth park-going experience for everyone.
Affordability was another key consideration, the park being a public asset that is a free and open to all space. This ensures that one’s socio-economic status does not interfere with the park-going experience, and that everyone feels welcome and included in the shared facilities of the park. The varied nature of the modules, such as the multisport module, sport circuit area, urban culture model, are meant to provide a diverse number of activities for different age groups and interests, creating a truly inclusive for-everyone park.
Results in relation to category
The Line Project stands as a paragon of citizen engagement, participatory urban regeneration, and co-design. At its core is a commitment to inclusivity, employing digital innovation through platforms like Furban to ensure the diverse needs and aspirations of the community are integral to the linear park's blueprint. This approach guarantees the park is a genuine reflection of the collective vision of its citizens. Aligned with global sustainability objectives, The Line Project metamorphoses an abandoned railway into a thriving green corridor, championing biodiversity, climate neutrality, and advancing the 15-minute city concept.
Inclusivity takes precedence in the project, guiding the creation of public spaces that cater to a spectrum of needs – from skateparks and basketball courts to thoughtfully designed children's play areas and designated spaces for pets. Beyond its physical transformation, the project serves as a catalyst for community spirit and ownership, presenting a model for future urban development initiatives. This citizen-centric and interdisciplinary approach marks a paradigm shift in Romanian urban planning practices, underscoring the importance of collaboration between the local community and specialists. This method transcends traditional consultation models by harnessing digital tools for engagement, ensuring every voice is heard.
The project doesn't just create a linear park; it lays the groundwork for a city designed by and for its people, introducing a transformative narrative to Bucharest's urban landscape. This ambitious undertaking, with its fusion of citizen-driven design and ecological responsibility, serves as an inspiration for urban development endeavours globally, showcasing how neglected spaces can evolve into thriving communal assets. The Line Project is a testament to the potential of collaborative, citizen-centric urban planning and sets a new standard for revitalizing urban spaces worldwide.
Inclusivity takes precedence in the project, guiding the creation of public spaces that cater to a spectrum of needs – from skateparks and basketball courts to thoughtfully designed children's play areas and designated spaces for pets. Beyond its physical transformation, the project serves as a catalyst for community spirit and ownership, presenting a model for future urban development initiatives. This citizen-centric and interdisciplinary approach marks a paradigm shift in Romanian urban planning practices, underscoring the importance of collaboration between the local community and specialists. This method transcends traditional consultation models by harnessing digital tools for engagement, ensuring every voice is heard.
The project doesn't just create a linear park; it lays the groundwork for a city designed by and for its people, introducing a transformative narrative to Bucharest's urban landscape. This ambitious undertaking, with its fusion of citizen-driven design and ecological responsibility, serves as an inspiration for urban development endeavours globally, showcasing how neglected spaces can evolve into thriving communal assets. The Line Project is a testament to the potential of collaborative, citizen-centric urban planning and sets a new standard for revitalizing urban spaces worldwide.
How Citizens benefit
The citizens played a crucial role in designing the concept for Liniei Park, contributing significantly to the success and impact of the project. The participatory urbanism approach ensured active engagement of the local community which fostered a sense of ownership and connection with the soon-to-be-developed park. The citizens were invited to the design table through community engagement on social media, public consultations, and through the Furban Ro digital design platform. The public consultation attracted over 40 participants, and over 47 citizens signed up for the co-design platform. Overall, the project reached 7000 citizens whose wants and needs were processed and taken into account to ensure a thoroughly inclusive and community responsive design that truly reflects its users.
The high number of participants showcased the community’s interest in such an initiative, and their impact on the design is evident in the final design, with the park being divided in 7 sections to better reflect the wants and needs of the inhabitants from the immediate area. The Line Project showcases the transformative power of participatory urbanism and inclusive decision-making, where citizens actively contribute in shaping the spaces all around them, creating more than just a park – creating a true social hub for the community.
The high number of participants showcased the community’s interest in such an initiative, and their impact on the design is evident in the final design, with the park being divided in 7 sections to better reflect the wants and needs of the inhabitants from the immediate area. The Line Project showcases the transformative power of participatory urbanism and inclusive decision-making, where citizens actively contribute in shaping the spaces all around them, creating more than just a park – creating a true social hub for the community.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
The Line Project stands out as the pioneer park of its magnitude in Central and Eastern Europe, not only being unique in its nature, but in its approach and methodology as well. Its unique nature stands in its approach to urban revitalization repurposing an abandoned rail track running through Liniei Street through infilling it with a citizen centric linear park. This serves as a model for repurposing derelict areas that in urban landscapes, creating value from depreciation.
The Line Project is innovative through its commitment to partial, or ideally full, economic independence through the employment of solar panels that provide it with its own source of energy avoiding the need of straining the preexisting grid. Furthermore, having its own electrical system can be beneficial to the said grid by introducing to it the unused energy produced by the solar panels. This provides a solid stream of income for the park that can aid with its maintenance fees and implementation of future plans. Furthermore, the presence of the panels showcases the usefulness and reliability of alternative means of energy production – aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of the district through its own panels, and perhaps through inspiring visitors to make the switch to green energy.
The modular sections of the park that were co-designed by the local community are another point of innovation. First of all, the participatory approach breaks away from the traditional top-down planning, while creating a park by the people, for the people. The size and manner of these modules allows for the introduction of many others, or the expansion of the preexisting ones with ease. This ensures that the park will continuously stay relevant to the communities it serves.
Using the Furban Ro platform presents another point of innovation that allows for ease of data collection and streamlines the co-design efforts while ensuring a larger reach by allowing people from diverse backgrounds to contribute.
The Line Project is innovative through its commitment to partial, or ideally full, economic independence through the employment of solar panels that provide it with its own source of energy avoiding the need of straining the preexisting grid. Furthermore, having its own electrical system can be beneficial to the said grid by introducing to it the unused energy produced by the solar panels. This provides a solid stream of income for the park that can aid with its maintenance fees and implementation of future plans. Furthermore, the presence of the panels showcases the usefulness and reliability of alternative means of energy production – aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of the district through its own panels, and perhaps through inspiring visitors to make the switch to green energy.
The modular sections of the park that were co-designed by the local community are another point of innovation. First of all, the participatory approach breaks away from the traditional top-down planning, while creating a park by the people, for the people. The size and manner of these modules allows for the introduction of many others, or the expansion of the preexisting ones with ease. This ensures that the park will continuously stay relevant to the communities it serves.
Using the Furban Ro platform presents another point of innovation that allows for ease of data collection and streamlines the co-design efforts while ensuring a larger reach by allowing people from diverse backgrounds to contribute.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The project was created through an interdisciplinary approach, with expert guidance from numerous fields stemming from architecture to anthropology, to software engineering. Each of the experts engaged for the design process played a pivotal role. The architects and landscape designers played a major role in shaping the layout and aesthetics of the linear park, integrating natural elements to the urban park that best reflect the values and desires of the local communities – discovered through analysis and interpretation of the cultural and social aspects of the communities that were conducted by the sociologists and anthropologists from community input and insights. This helped put into perspective the identity of the park and aided with the creation of a park that reflects the local culture within its elements while fostering a sense of belonging and community ownership and integration.
The software engineers provided the technical backbone for the participatory design process through the Furban Ro digital design platform – their expertise allowing for the design of an inclusive and accessible means of co-designing that engaged a wide spectrum of community members, without any physical barriers impeding the process.
The members from these various fields interacted constantly with each other and the other stakeholders alike creating an interconnected web of purposeful design while easing the difficulty of the planning and designing phase by identifying and preparing around any possible challenges that could have arisen. This resulted in a carefully thought-out cohesive and holistic park design.
The software engineers provided the technical backbone for the participatory design process through the Furban Ro digital design platform – their expertise allowing for the design of an inclusive and accessible means of co-designing that engaged a wide spectrum of community members, without any physical barriers impeding the process.
The members from these various fields interacted constantly with each other and the other stakeholders alike creating an interconnected web of purposeful design while easing the difficulty of the planning and designing phase by identifying and preparing around any possible challenges that could have arisen. This resulted in a carefully thought-out cohesive and holistic park design.
Methodology used
A central point of the Line Project’s methodology is its employment of participatory urbanism. The community engagement process involved active collaboration with local residents and stakeholders throughout the design and planning phases, allowing residents to contribute to decision-making, providing insight into their wants and needs that were used to design an inclusive park with multiple types of activities pertaining to everyone. The co-design phase had 3 points of connection with the public: through online channels, through public consultations, and through the Furban Ro digital design platform, an inclusive and accessible method that allowed for the submissions of ideas which allowed a larger reach with more in-depth data to be gathered. This ensured that the park reflects the diversity of the community while encouraging a sense of belonging among the residents.
Another important objective met by the project is obtaining its sustainability goals through creating an aesthetically pleasing yet environmentally conscious linear park with an emphasis on energy independence and the use of alternative green means of transportation and energy generation.
Other important methodology details regarding the third stage of the project, produced by UrbanizeHub, including the creation of the project specification as an outline of the objective, scopes, and requirements of the project as a roadmap to ensure clarity and dedication to the project’s goals. Subsequently UrbanizeHub conducted a public tender to select contractors to build the park. These were designed in a transparent and thorough manner by specialists to ensure a smooth implementation process.
Another important objective met by the project is obtaining its sustainability goals through creating an aesthetically pleasing yet environmentally conscious linear park with an emphasis on energy independence and the use of alternative green means of transportation and energy generation.
Other important methodology details regarding the third stage of the project, produced by UrbanizeHub, including the creation of the project specification as an outline of the objective, scopes, and requirements of the project as a roadmap to ensure clarity and dedication to the project’s goals. Subsequently UrbanizeHub conducted a public tender to select contractors to build the park. These were designed in a transparent and thorough manner by specialists to ensure a smooth implementation process.
How stakeholders are engaged
The Line Project demonstrates an inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement at a local level that ensured that a diverse range of perspectives and expertise contributed to the design and implementation of the project.
First and foremost, the Municipality of District 6 was directly involved and personally played the central role in the first two phases of the project. The third phase was led by UrbanizeHub that created the design, the corresponding socio-anthropologic studies, the project specifications, and the public tender. The Municipality stayed involved as a crucial stakeholder, actively engaging in decision-making, helping with the planning phase and ensuring the correct alignment with the local regulations and needs, all while providing guidance and expertise where it was needed.
Local neighbourhood associations represented a secondary important stakeholder, representing the interest and needs of the specific communities alongside Liniei Street. They actively participated in the design process ensuring community support and that the park addresses the needs of the local communities. They provided valuable insight ensuring the seamless integration of an inclusive and comprehensive linear park within the existing socio-cultural landscape.
Multiple expert agents were brought along to provide expertise for the project, from varying fields such as architecture, landscaping, sociology, IT, and anthropology. Their contributions are of immense value to the project, providing cultural and social dynamics of the communities to aid with designing the physical aspects of the park, ensuring aesthetic appeal and cohesion, and even developing the Furban Ro digital platform that facilitated the citizen engagement in the design phase in order to ensure that the park is designed adequately and with the community’s best interests in mind, while covering the objectives proposed for the project.
First and foremost, the Municipality of District 6 was directly involved and personally played the central role in the first two phases of the project. The third phase was led by UrbanizeHub that created the design, the corresponding socio-anthropologic studies, the project specifications, and the public tender. The Municipality stayed involved as a crucial stakeholder, actively engaging in decision-making, helping with the planning phase and ensuring the correct alignment with the local regulations and needs, all while providing guidance and expertise where it was needed.
Local neighbourhood associations represented a secondary important stakeholder, representing the interest and needs of the specific communities alongside Liniei Street. They actively participated in the design process ensuring community support and that the park addresses the needs of the local communities. They provided valuable insight ensuring the seamless integration of an inclusive and comprehensive linear park within the existing socio-cultural landscape.
Multiple expert agents were brought along to provide expertise for the project, from varying fields such as architecture, landscaping, sociology, IT, and anthropology. Their contributions are of immense value to the project, providing cultural and social dynamics of the communities to aid with designing the physical aspects of the park, ensuring aesthetic appeal and cohesion, and even developing the Furban Ro digital platform that facilitated the citizen engagement in the design phase in order to ensure that the park is designed adequately and with the community’s best interests in mind, while covering the objectives proposed for the project.
Global challenges
The Line Project offers a local solution that contributes towards solving several global challenges. One of the primary challenges is climate change, and the need to reduce the carbon footprint. Through its employment of green means of energy production, green designs, and encouragement of alternative means of transportation, the Line Project serves as a local response to the above-mentioned challenge, through not only reducing the carbon footprint in its nature, but also by being a source that may inspire citizens to become more environmentally conscious. Overall, it promotes mindful and eco-friendly urban development.
The project also addresses the challenge of urban abandonment and underutilization of redundant infrastructure by transforming the abandoned rail line on Liniei Street into a vibrant linear park - providing a blueprint for repurposing neglected spaces. This project also promotes the concept of infilling as a means of curbing the increased rate of urban sprawl, saving materials, natural features, as well as the rural ways of communities that may otherwise get absorbed into the urban landscape.
The line project also addresses the challenge of inclusivity, by employing the use of participatory urbanism which allowed the design of a park with input from diverse perspectives. This encourages social cohesion and inclusiveness, by creating a space that is accessible and affordable for all – offering a solution for the issue of social inequality. Furthermore, the project focused on cultural integration and the preservation of local identities, aiming to create a park that exists in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The citizens were engaged through different means, including through the use of the Furban Ro digital platform that is a showcase technological solution that expands the reach of traditional means of co-design.
The project also addresses the challenge of urban abandonment and underutilization of redundant infrastructure by transforming the abandoned rail line on Liniei Street into a vibrant linear park - providing a blueprint for repurposing neglected spaces. This project also promotes the concept of infilling as a means of curbing the increased rate of urban sprawl, saving materials, natural features, as well as the rural ways of communities that may otherwise get absorbed into the urban landscape.
The line project also addresses the challenge of inclusivity, by employing the use of participatory urbanism which allowed the design of a park with input from diverse perspectives. This encourages social cohesion and inclusiveness, by creating a space that is accessible and affordable for all – offering a solution for the issue of social inequality. Furthermore, the project focused on cultural integration and the preservation of local identities, aiming to create a park that exists in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The citizens were engaged through different means, including through the use of the Furban Ro digital platform that is a showcase technological solution that expands the reach of traditional means of co-design.
Learning transferred to other parties
The Line Project is a highly replicable concept with transferable elements applicable to numerous contexts. The methodology establishes a framework that can be easily adapted to any number of locations. The first and broadest feature that can be adapted and implemented on its own is the participatory urbanism approach – particularly engaging the communities through a digital design platform such as Furban Ro.
The core concept of transforming an abandoned rail line into a linear park is highly transferable, applicable anywhere with similar infrastructure. The rail line aspect can be removed from the equation providing an even larger range of possible locations viable for this specific type of urban parks. The section design, and the modules that were created with input from the local residents offer a flexible template that can be adapted and moulded to meet the unique wants and needs of the community they aim to serve.
The project’s focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability can also be adapted to any number of projects in order to foster community cohesion and offer equal chance and right to amenities to everyone. The project’s seamless incorporation of nature within an urban landscape offers important insight into the way derelict spaces can be transformed into green oasis within a city, that empower the citizens while being perfectly integrated within the local culture and aesthetics of the area.
The core concept of transforming an abandoned rail line into a linear park is highly transferable, applicable anywhere with similar infrastructure. The rail line aspect can be removed from the equation providing an even larger range of possible locations viable for this specific type of urban parks. The section design, and the modules that were created with input from the local residents offer a flexible template that can be adapted and moulded to meet the unique wants and needs of the community they aim to serve.
The project’s focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability can also be adapted to any number of projects in order to foster community cohesion and offer equal chance and right to amenities to everyone. The project’s seamless incorporation of nature within an urban landscape offers important insight into the way derelict spaces can be transformed into green oasis within a city, that empower the citizens while being perfectly integrated within the local culture and aesthetics of the area.
Keywords
urban regeneration
multifunctionality
modular park
eco-design
participatory urbanism
