Project description
The city of Bragança possesses an individual genius locci, a landscape marked by the Fervença River, plateaus, castle and wall. These elements were therefore used to define the design of the space as metaphors and symbols that bring Man and landscape closer together. To potentiate the pedestrian experience of the avenue and square, a formal concept that guaranteed these principles was developed, maximising the areas of circulation and permanency and putting the pedestrian first. Further strengthening this proposal’s attention to mobility, the whole avenue is accompanied by a bicycle path, foreseeing the connection to other noble areas and the bicycle path network of Bragança.
We therefore encouraged the use of non-polluting public transportation, especially over short distances, something which is widely explored in the countries of central and northern Europe. We wanted the inhabitants of Bragança to be able to enjoy these spaces as areas belonging to the pedestrian rather than the car. More and more, there is the need for cities to return to their original purpose: people. With the creation of the underground car park, we were able to develop an avenue which addresses the issue of the traffic flow, but primarily contemplates its use by pedestrians. In this way, inhabitants will be able to enjoy greater spaces and better urban infrastructures.
Treating people as the starting point for the renovation of the João da Cruz Avenue was what differentiated A1V2’s performance, in addition to the symbolic use of the most easily recognisable elements of the landscape, conferring an identity of its own to the avenue.