The town of Peja is centred by the streaming Lumbardh
river, and enjoys the views of Bjeshkët e
Nemura (The Cursed Forests), followed in the
background by the cliffs of Rugova.
4M's proposed scheme supported the extension of
green areas in the centre, which would link with the
river, in an efficient organization of space. This
would increase the dynamics of the services offered in
the town centre, by intertwining the visual link of
the Lumbardh and Peja promenades.
The typology of the historical Balkan artisan centre -
narrow streets, crowning cantilevers and the
continuous circulation throughout - are used as motifs
in the spatial formation for Peja's city centre.
Current areas of various shops have been converted
into separate entities, with three different
descending levels of public access. The overall access
of the zone has been penetrated with public walkways
from the centre's promenades, all the way up towards
the Lumbardh promenade.
Parallel to Peja's main promenade, the complex is
passed through by a new alley that descends to a level
below, which has been transformed into a
naturally lit area, to be seen from the promenade
level, as well as from the roof level through the
galleries and little bridges.
On top of the shops, the promenade level raises the
green walkway from the square near Dukagjini hotel and
ends near Zalli bridge, lowered to allow further
connection with another part of town. At that level
lies the Botanical Garden that encourages
familiarisation with botanical species from
Bjeshkët e Nemura; the Peja tourist information
centre; recreation corner and the cafeteria.
The pedestrian is free to change points of view from
different levels, whilst enjoying the various
views towards the city, greenery, the river and also
Rugova Mountain where the green walkway motif
derives.
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