The Mayor of Vilnius City Juozas Imbrasas, urban development experts and architects of the Municipality presented the concept of the project by „Architectural Park" in the premises of the plant „Audėjas" together with the companies, which have offered the best territories for the implementation of „Architectural Park"; the letter of intent has been signed with the partners of the project.
„One of the most ambitious projects in the history of the city – the development of “Architectural Park” – is getting off the mark. The main idea is the implementation of the vision of the future city. The newest principles of urban planning as well as architectural and engineering solutions that are now available in the world will be implemented in Architectural Park", - said the Mayor of the Capital City Juozas Imbrasas.
The following companies became the partners of the project: UAB "Naujasis užupis" (developer UAB "Realtus"), developing 3,2 and 1,7 ha plots of the plant „Skaiteks", UAB "Sermeta", developing 1,3 ha plot of the plant "Vilniaus kailiai", UAB "Audėjas", developing 5 ha plot of the plant "Audėjas", UAB "Markučiai", developing 4,7 ha plot of the plant "Markučiai". The territories of the partners of the project are situated next to each other and cover the area of approximately 16 ha in the total territory of approximately 58 ha, provided for the park.
The solemnly signed letter of intent emphasizes the following common objectives of the Municipality and the partners of the project – architectural diversity of the park and exclusive aesthetical solutions, modern technologies and quality material, increase of energy efficiency of the dwelling, application of renewable energy, innovative solutions of mobility, openness, publicity, dialogue with society, workplaces for small-scale business, interests of different social groups, integrated dwelling concept, as well as safe and healthy residential environment for the residents of the block. The managers, sponsors, and developers of Architectural Park have emphasized in the document on cooperation that this project reveals great opportunities for the implementation of the aforesaid principles.
„We are very happy that such idea has finally matured. With the years business has matured as well. Now we know how to plan and how to build. The project will be implemented in several stages. It will start from Paupys and will go forward towards Markučiai – the streets will be built, in parallel, the engineering system will be built, the quays of the Vilnelė will be fixed, the bridges across the river as well as the pedestrian walkways and cycleways, connecting the old town, Užupis, newly developed area, and Pavilniai Regional Park, will be built. The houses in the territories will differ – as many architects, as many different ideas. They will not be big – fitted to the spaces of the old town. The center of the city will be revived: a block, fitted for quality living, will emerge instead of the Soviet legacy, the center, which will become the center of people and tourist attraction", - said Artūras Blotnys, Director of Urban Development Department of the Municipality.
Vilnius City Municipality, as the planning organizer of the entire territory, undertakes to be actively involved and benevolently contribute to the organization of the preparation and approval procedures of individual territory planning documents, endeavor at quality in implementing the planned solutions, arrange tenders and creative workshops by selecting the designers as well as construction contractors. In pursuance of the objectives, Vilnius City Municipality along with the partners will be organizing public presentation campaigns of the project „Architectural Park" and will be informing the society about innovative technological, architectural, and constructional solutions, planned to be implemented in this project.
The participants of the meeting emphasized that the project implementation success will depend on the partnership between the private and public sectors as well as successful cooperation.
„We realize that the architectural progress is directly depending on the state and municipal institutions’ regard as well as active springs of action to develop the quality of architecture. We will endeavor that „Architectural Park" becomes an example of modern architecture and educative means for all active participants of the planning and construction process as well as general public", - said the Mayor of Vilnius J. Imbrasas.
An idea of Architectural Park belongs to the experts of the municipality. They got it during their visits to the architectural expositions on the European dwelling.
According to the project initiators, this project will define the guidelines for the future generations, future architects will be learning from it.
The history of the model architectural blocks dates back to 1901. They have become traditional in Germany, Sweden, Finland, and other countries. Innovative architectural solutions, implemented in the blocks, spread all over the world and become a standard of modern architecture. Vilnius is planning to invite the experts of the projects, implemented abroad, who would share their experience in developing a modern block.
The project is implemented by Vilnius City Municipality, supported by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuanian Architects’ Association, Lithuanian Real Estate Development Association, and the scientists of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
