Diploma Project | University of Patras | 2014

 

Along the main street of the University of Patras, next to neighboring settlement of Rio, there is a linear unstructured area, a residue of the urban structure, that remains disconnected to the surroundings. A void zone between the University and the city. This area can be a perfect background for an economic and social development for the Rio region and also for the University of Patras. An exploitable area characterized by centrality and accessibility among its surroundings.

 

The combination of both infrastructure and recreation can be the communication channel what will eventually bring together, the University students and the residents. A significant role in the strategy of approaching the field of the project will be the preservation of the greenery and the topography, and also the use of these residual voids to propose a new version of habitation. The questions that we had to deal with were, how and with what criteria were:

a)can someone create new facilities for the students,

b) how to connect the campus with the township, and

c) how to promote a new student core contributing alongside with the economic and commercial development of the region.

 

The residential development of Rio, combined with the inauguration of new University Departments has actually doubled the population and the structuring growth that the region had in the past. The residential center has commercial, social and administrative development activity. Unfortunately, despite that growth, University campus remains apparently disconnected with the rest of the region, something that works to against both of the students and the local population (mainly local traders), since going from the University campus to the Rio area can only be achieved by the use of a means of transport, essentially preventing the continuity and unity of the areas, despite the fact that they are just divided by a single path and a largely unexploited huge area between them (the study zone~ 85,000 sqm).

 

The transfer of the student dormitories is being adopted but only for the Thesis purposes and not something recommended, in order to incorporate the student life in everyday life of the village and not being perceived by both parties as something far and disconnected. Simultaneously to the transfer of student dormitories (practically by creating new ones) and the creation of a “super” local market, new facilities will be constructed alongside with the remodeling of communal and open spaces for exploitation, not only by the students, but also the residents. This new field must be treated as a natural extension of both the existing community and the University. So this is how the idea arose, that perhaps the use of that space could bring the desired development results.

 

A first approach relates to the field of recording the current situation in relation to population, economic, residential and commercial development region, which will determine the needs of this application building program and development strategy. Its geographical position as a transportation hub, the large seafront and the mountain with the natural beauty, the existence of educational facilities of the University, research institutions and Hospital, the dynamic operation of the commercial and administrative center of Rio is those elements which can build further sustainable development. Requirements include the organization of land use, urbanization of residential areas, improving infrastructure, regenerate the aesthetics image of the built environment and addressing to the coastal erosion and coastal front. To avoid uneven development of rural and urban areas and the local scale of economy, efforts should be made to develop all areas of production.

 

To point out the further strengthening of trade activities, of administrative functions and public services in the region and also the strengthening of recreational activities such as a significant number of restaurants, recreation centers and hotels mainly situated in the coastal zone. To make this development go further, it is proposed to keep and manage the local population and also make it grow by attracting new people to the area. Towards this direction, it should be highlighted and exploited both natural and non-natural surroundings of interest in combination with new forms of entertainment. This new field must be considered as a natural extension of both the already existing campus and a residential extension of the expanding settlement. Besides, this specific field is a perfect background for a numerous of reasons.

 

Such reasons are:

a) The probability of creating characterized by accessibility, intergration in the town plan, scalability and growth.

b) A structure so as to be the connection spot of the two regions (settlement and university) and not an area functional and morphological truncated.

c) Combining infrastructure - recreation, in a way that it might function as communication channel between the University community and the local residents and enhance cultural, social, financial and commercial development.

d) An area of significant size would help the growth of a “super” local market and a 'park', which could attract people from the wider areas (municipality of Rio- Municipality of Patras).

e) The new routes that will be used as the link between neighboring areas, enhancing the use of this open space.

f) The importance of reclaiming the green and exploiting “stripes” of open, residual spaces.