1

2

Every city has its own dynamics. Glory, decline, fall and success, all stages in history leave their traces. In the development of cities these traces are some-times neglected or even erased. The ‘internationali-sation’ in town planning and development creates more and more generic cities out of every place. This phenomenon makes an ‘anyplace’ out of any place. In these circumstances the traces and relicts can play an increasing role in the cities’ identity, in the creation for the future.

The Kaptol in Zagreb wears still many traces of his-tory. The main effort here is to keep those traces, restore them and ‘use’ them in order to define prin-ciples for urban development. By doing so, the Kap-tol will define again the identity of Zagreb together with other distinct places in the city. By adding new activities within the giving principles, the Kaptol will add new meaning to Zagreb and is ready to play the next stage in the city’s history

Kaptol Zagreb

View on Kaptol

3

4

5

As you walk, does it not seem to you that beside you pass foot soldiers in heavy armour, stepping out of the history of old Za-greb? Or those ancient citizens from the Middle Ages, wearing beaked shoes, all with long hair and patriarchal beards… Or those ample shapes of the baker women whose sharp tongues spread all the malicious and scandalous rumours of old Grech? Behind them up this steep slope came people from the Baroque, the Rococo ages, nobles and gentry of the Biedermeier and finally titled gentlemen in frock coats, old government inform-er and lodgers from eternally half-dark rooms.

Rudolf Habeduš KatedralisŠetnje Gornjim gradom i starim Zagrebom, 1997

The Historical cities of Gradec and Kaptol

Cathedral with the surrounding wall still intact

Opatovina street

The role of the city of Kaptol can be understood by explaining the name Kaptol. It was one out of two: Gradec, the earthly, administrative power on the right side of the Medvescak brook and Kaptol, the ‘elevated’, clerical power on the left side. In the last part the government of the church had and has

its See. Like in many other big cities in Europe (i.e. Berlin), the Great city of Zagreb has emerged from these two origins.

6

8. ORTOFOTO

GRANICA ZAHVATA

GRADSKI ZAVOD ZA PROSTORNO UREĐENJE _STUDENI 2006._IZMJENE I DOPUNE ĐENJE KAPTOLAPROGRAMA ZA JAVNI URBANISTI NATJEČKO-ARHITEKTONSKI ČAJ ZA URE

View on Kaptol Public Space Building Blocks

By ‘reading’ the physical structure of the Kaptol one can define the meaning of the building blocks; densely built blocks along the Tkalceciva street, a ‘civic and merchant street’, distinguished facades along the Opatovina street and formal buildings with inner courts along the old city wall. By understand-ing the typology of the blocks, the newly demanded activities can be placed in a manner that they really fit, emphasize the existing qualities and even add meaning.

7

Parks and green Important places Viewing axis

Next to the built structure of the Kaptol, the public spaces and parks and the location of the important programme shows a coherent plan of Kaptol. It has a human scale, it is very European and it offers great opportunities for the future.

8

Opportunities:

History for the Future

Mental map of Kaptol Full Kaptol experiences

The actual mental map for the Kaptol hill is reduced to the southern tip (1/3) of the hill. The church and it surroundings and the Dolac marketplace are best known. The connection of this area with the ‘rest’ of the Kaptol hill is hardly visible anymore.

We ask for consciousness for the chances in the northern (2/3) part of Kaptol hill;

1. Improvement public space; 2. Expression of the city wall at the park side and redefine it’s boundaries; 3. Increase of the permeability of the existing structure, and 4. Add new activities.

By redefining the northern part, the whole area can and will be part of the future mental map and can be experienced as One Kaptol Hill.

9

Private spaceNew buildings

Private buildingsPublic street

ParkHigh quality square

Current Kaptol

Proposed new Kaptol

10

The Kaptol Hill has great potential; The Kaptol street, currently undervalued by overkill in infrastructure can turn into a pedestrian area and so be added to the public realm.

The Opatovina Park is the hidden treasure of Kaptol; it’s potential should be added to the value of Kaptol Hill.

11

The Opatovina Park is the hidden treasure of Kaptol; it’s potential should be added to the value of Kaptol Hill.

City

of Z

agre

b

G

rade

c

&

Kap

tol

Cultural and Historical District

Gradec and Kaptol are the Cultural and Historical district of Zagreb. They are twins, however diffe-rent in structure. Gradec shows a rather orthogo-nal structure (Mondriaan), as for the Kaptol struc-ture does look more like a Kandinsky painting. Toge-ther they add identity the greater Zagreb.

12

2 Commerce Here used to be the civilian district of Kaptol, with streets belonging to tradesmen. Its direct connec-tion to the Dolac market enables this street to, in time, become a high-end shopping street while still preserving its own atmosphere. Closed courtyards and secluded establishments should be discouraged and could eventually be transformed into kiosks and shops

3 Religion and Culture. The Kaptol developed as the seat for the church with adjacent offices. The locus of course has been Kaptol street. The proximity of the Cathedral and Archdiocese gave the Kaptol shape and identity. The street must breath an atmosphere of eminence and ambrosia. The closed canon houses could open up and facilitate cultural institutions or public shops

Culture - Kaptol StreetLeisure - Tkalceciva Street Commerce - Opatovina street

Zoning

Kaptol’s proximity to the main Zagreb square (Ban Jelacic) gives it potential to strengthen the way the city is perceived for its culture and history. Kaptol together with Gradec will be the representa-tive heart of Zagreb, the address for formal institu-tions as well as for museums. The people of Zagreb can experience the cultural and historical surround-ing and enjoy their stay in the Park.

By reinterpreting the historical layers within the Kaptol we can distinguish 3 zones, all related to dif-ferent streets.

1 Leisure and entertainment This zone acts as an intermediary between the Kap-tol and Gradec. The street houses bars and restau-rants and attracts a lot of people. The current func-tioning can be maintained and might be improved.

which support the streets identity, (e.g. music shop, a prestigious bookshop.)

13

The programmatic zones follow the exis-ting streets. It has the potential to become a favourable district for Zagreb people to meet and have a drink, to spend their time shopping near Opatovina Street or take a walk around the monumental facades and walls.

14

Destination Kaptol

At the moment the southern part of the Kaptol is used intensely. Unfortunately many visitors will not go into the northern part. Inserting program or “destinations” will enable an easier discovery and use of the complete Kaptol. These hotspots will be linked to each other, creating a route. These can easily be connected to exist-ing routes (e.g. tourist routes) or adjacent neighbourhoods like Šalata. These strengthen Kaptol’s West-East rou-ting and consequently its linkage with sur-rounding districts.

15

16

A cross section which shows the different zones. If the closed courtyards are opened up from East to West, pedestrian can actually walk this cross section. Walking trough the Kaptol will provide a sequence of different atmospheres and experiences.

17

The view on Kaptol Street, with a part- section through the canon houses. Even though the new buildings have been added the overall identity is preserved.

18

Interventions

StairsTiled public street

Art AccesPark

St. Mary SquareHigh quality square

Accented Kaptol entrance

3 2

1

New functions:1 Zagreb Cathedral Treasury2 Diocesan Museum 3 Archdiocesan Archives

The image on the right shows all the changes we propose to the current Kap-tol.

Interventions consist of: Prohibiting motorized traffic in the •Kaptol area; Removing asphalted streets and re-•placing them with natural stone pave-ment; Re-use of the canon houses and •adding new buildings in the court-yards; Creating pathways in between the •courtyard houses, creating a new layer of routing within the existing blocks; Improve accessibility to the parks; •Linking Ribnjak park to the Kaptol in •terms of usage and vista’s; Adding new functions like the Cathe-•dral Treasury, the Diocesan Museum and Archives; Creating small commercial closes •(squares) in Opatovina; Emphasizing and visualizing the his-•torical boundaries of Kaptol.

We wish to create an integral experience throughout the Kaptol public space, ex-ercising consistent gestures and use of materials (e.g. pavement). On specific locations the public space will be given special attention:

Kaptol Square Up until a hundred years ago the main Cathedral space consisted of a small

plot enclosed by the fortress wall. The St. Mary Square was used as a market. At the moment the combined space of the St. Mary Square and the space in front of the Cathedral feel a bit too big in relation to the surrounding building height. We propose a small square in front of the cathedral to refer back to its historic enclosed space. This tailored square scales the public space down to human measures, and defines the Ca-thedral space.

Kaptol Street: The Kaptol street will be transformed from a prominent traffic vein into the dis-trict’s main boulevard. With cars prohi-bited, people can stroll up and down the streets. Shaded by a double row of trees people can visit the Comedy theatre, the Diocesan Museum or enjoy a drink with a good view on the Cathedral.

Entrances. At some parts it is hard to see the tran-sition between the Kaptol and other city parts. We wish to create entrances or “gestures” at the historic border of the Kaptol area to emphasize the “enter-ing”. As an example we take the road from Ban Jelacic Square to the Cathedral. Staircases with specific materialization, aligned with the old city walls, will make people more aware of entering the Kap-tol district.

19

Accented Kaptol entrance

Ribnjak Park

New functions:1 Zagreb Cathedral Treasury2 Diocesan Museum 3 Archdiocesan Archives

Vista’s into the park

Entrances into the park

Ribnjak Park has always been part of the Kaptol dis-trict. In the past it was part of its line of defence, provided the city with food from the fish garden or gave peaceful park retreat to priests. At the moment it is the place where one can get a view of the his-torical city of Kaptol. It offers a silhouette of the city walls, buildings and iconic church towers.

We wish to better integrate the Ribnjak park to the Kaptol. Right now it is hidden from the Kaptol. You have to walk around it and access the park through Ribnjak Street. New entrances that perforate Kaptol street make a visit easier. In addition there could be balconies from the city wall enabling a beautiful view into the park. To improve the view, the trees should be replaced from the old ramparts to alongside Ribnjak road, creating a visual distance between the park and the road.

The tourist assembly point, which is now concen-trated next to a bus stop in front of the Cathedral, can also benefit from the park. This bus stop can be at the corner of the park. It cleans up the Kaptol Street and gives the tourist a more interesting ap-proach for his visit to the Kaptol. He starts with a dramatic view of the towers and the city wall from the park. Then he walks the stairs to arrive in front of the Cathedral.

The park could act as Museum Park, functioning as an intermediary between the Cathedral Treasury and the Diocesan Museum. An extended route uses the Park to exhibit earthquake ruins of the Cathedral or a display of statues.

20

Current Ribnjak Park, a major asset for Kaptol

New entrance in Ribnjak park towards Kaptol Street

21

Adding Density

Ribnjak Park

Canon Houses of Kaptol street

Zones where more density might be realized

Adding new program would be beneficial to the Kaptol. It strengthens the districts assets and pro-vides more activities. It enables a source of income to compensate costs for upgrading the public space. It gives the district more density.

Adding new functions can take place in the plots belonging to the canon houses. A lot of the space is used for storage or taken up by sheds. It would be a big improvement if these extraordinary spaces could be opened up for public, and if parts of the open space can give place to new buildings. These spaces can be an intermediary between the

streets and the park. There could even be a second-ary routing through these blocks. The first of the buildings to be realized here are The Treasury, Dio-cesan Museum and Archbishop’s Archives.

Adding new program in these districts might im-prove Kaptol, but it needs to adopt certain rules. It should fit to the historical context. This doesn’t mean it cannot be modern, but future growth needs to respect local context. This means a limit to building height, supporting the historic view on the district. It needs to adjust to the rhythm in which the buildings are aligned at the

street and be modest in architectural gestures.

22

Opatovina Park

Shops and bars

houses Kaptol Street

Market

1 Dolac 2 Present Opatovina square

3 Similar squares

Opatovina Street and Park

Dolac is a very popular market. When you walk towards Opatovina Street you encounter a small square which is a kind of extension of the Dolac market, however scale and space are more related to the street. This atmosphere should be captured, enhanced and reproduced throughout Opatovina street. At the moment there are several closed gardens present. These could in time be exchanged for the Opatovina squares, a kind of upscaling of the current stalls. The result might be an Opatovina Street, which special-izes in the high-end market. Addressing customers to its high quality products in a distinctive street with its own historic atmosphere.

In addition it will link the Opatovina park to the Dolac market. This park is an oasis of peace with ex-traordinary views on the houses of Gradec, layered as scenes. It has pieces of the old city wall as well. Already historical festivals take place here. This hid-den treasure would be better off with improved ac-cess.

23

Traffic plan

The current traffic system has a lot of emphasis on car usage. This downgrades the identity of the Kaptol. The emphasis should be on slow traffic, placing pedestrians first. The former streets will be paved with local natural stone to express this. The cars need to be redirected out of the Kaptol, through Ribnjak street.

The tourist bus stop will be moved to the side of the Ribnjak park. At the moment the turning curve takes up valuable space near the Cathedral. We propose to use the existing road layout surroun-ding the gas station.

City busses are still allowed to use the Kaptol street and we keep the busstop intact. The diffe-rence is that the busses know acts as guest in a pedestrian area.

24

Supplying Dolac

Supplying Dolac through Pod Zidom

The current logistics of the Dolac Market is conges-ting the corner of the Cathedral Square. It is inef-ficient, let alone a pretty site. Instead all the traffic could be led through Pod Zidom. The vans could drive through the fish and meat market at fixed times to unload all the goods. A small elevator lifts the carts up to the Dolac market.

25

Public Space

With the Kaptol district redefined as pedestrian area, the public space can be upgraded to fit this descrip-tion. The asphalt will be replaced by pavement. The Kaptol street will shaded by rows of trees, breathing a relaxing atmosphere. Destinations in the Kaptol will be numerous, each in its own distinct environ-ment. A walk through the Kaptol will provide an in-teresting rhythm of varying spaces and experienc-es.

26

St. Mary Square

New Cathedral Square

Current Cathedral Square

27

Current Kaptol street

New Kaptol street

28

Competition for the architectural and urban design for the Kaptol, Zagreb

September 2008HKB Stedenbouwkundigen,Rotterdam

Westblaak 513012 KD RotterdamThe Netherlands+31 (0)10 436 6260

Website: www.hkbs.nl Email: rotterdam@hkbs.nl

Colofon

Henk J.M. BouwmanJeroen LeemansSacha N. SchramDominic J.C. TegelbeckersRichard PaalmanSebastian Byl

In our opinion the Kaptol district shows great poten-tial and beauty. There are minor hindrances which restrain it from its possibility to shine as the historic “Kaptoll hill”. Prudent interventions, fitting the con-text, are preferred over big, one dimensional ges-tures. We demand longlasting, sustainable interven-tions with far reaching impact to its context. Putting the right programme on the right place, based on a clear strategy, will give way for Kaptol to become a new and vivid focal point within Zagreb.