Green Infrastructure 2014 Group N - Case Study 3

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'''== Kapinica River, Krapina city, Croatia =='''

Name	Kapinica River
Country	Croatia
City	Krapina
Authors	Mateja Leljak


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Interesting fact about Krapinica river

Ignoring the natural values, visual quality and importance of the Krapinica river, led to devastation of river banks using concrete and construction on the very edge of the river. Physical changes in river flow and changes of speed water runoff are natural features of the ecosystem and the environment. So far, green river system of Krapinica river has been inadequately used, with impaired identity and visual quality. Existing green open areas in the Krapina city and their (dis)connection with the river Krapinica are becoming questionable.

My perspective

This academic year I will get my Master’s degree in Landscape architecture at Department of Ornamental Plants, Landscape Architecture and Garden Art at University of Zagreb. I decided to engage in a new and useful work that could be of importance to mycolleagues in a similar and/or same profession and could also be useful for my hometown. That is why I am writing my thesis on Green Infrastructure in Krapina city. The bigger problem about green open spaces in rural/urban environment is how local authorities are trying to do the "right thing" with it, so I think this might be a good basis for future work on GI of Krapina City.

Landscape and/or urban context of Krapina-Zagorje County and Krapina city

KRAPINA-ZAGORJE COUNTRY

Krapina-Zagorje County is a county in northern Croatia. It encompasses most of the historic region called Hrvatsko Zagorje. The Krapina-Zagorje County is a candidate for being the most idyllic county in Croatia: the many villages and small towns spread out across the hillsides are perfect for agriculture (vineyards in particular) and summer houses.

The Krapina-Zagorje County borders on the Varaždin County in the northwest, Zagreb County in the southwest and southeast, and the city of Zagreb in the south.

County seat of Krapina-Zagorje County: KRAPINA

Area: 1,229 km2 (475 sq mi)

Population (2011) : 132,892 / 110/km2 (280/sq mi)

Area code: 049

ISO 3166 code: HR-02

KRAPINA – the centre of Krapina-Zagorje County

Krapina is cultural, political and administrative centre of Krapina-Zagorje County and it is the largest region in Hrvatsko zagorje. It is located approximately 55 km (34 mi) from the Croatian capital city Zagreb. This is an area of many hills, rivers, creeks and lakes through many valleys.

Area: City_47.53 km2 (18.35 sq mi) // Elevation_203 m (666 ft)

Population (2011): City_12,479 // Densty_260/km2 (680/sq mi) / Urban_4,482

History

Perhaps the most astonishing landmark of the area is the excavation site of a 125,000 year old Neanderthal man in caves near the central town. The fact that Krapina is the political centre of the county has historical roots. Krapina County (comitatus crappinensis) was mentioned as early as 1222 in the 1222 charter of Duke Béla where prince Petar of Krapina was named the head of the Croatian noble parish (Petar “comes de Crapuna”). King Sigismund of Croatia and Hungary, who owned an estate in Krapina (Castrum Carpone), awarded the mayor of the town of Krapina the title of the Great Count of Zagorje County in 1399. During the administration of ban Ivan Drašković, five sessions of the Croatian Parliament were held in Krapina at the turn of the 17th century. Ante Starčević, the Father of the Nation, and bishop Juraj Strossmayer, signed political agreements in Krapina that defended Croatia’s interests.

Culture

Krapina is a home to yearly Festival kajkavske popevke (The festival of kajkavian song) sung in the local Kajkavian dialect. At the site where the Neanderthals remains were discovered there is now a state of the art Neanderthal museum which also includes an extensive segment on evolution, making it one of the most interesting evolutionary museums in Europe. It is surrounded by a park with many statues of Neanderthals and their game, a bear, a moose and a beaver set in the actual locations. There is also a nearby municipality of Krapinske Toplice (Krapina spa) with numerous thermal springs and spa tourist infrastructure. Krapina is also the birthplace of the linguist and language reformer Ljudevit Gaj. His home is now a museum where visitors can learn about his life and work.

Industry

The main industrial branches are textiles and garments, production of housing containers and potassium stoves, Styrofoam, wiring supplies from plastic material, and construction industry specialized in the restoration of classical buildings with a large share of a craftsman works. A new business and trade centre will also be opening soon in Krapina; the town offers not only trade but also intellectual services, including marketing and project management firms, legal and financial services, medical and dental services, as well as many personal services such as hairdressing, pedicures, beauty salons, photography, photocopying shops, laundry services etc.

Illustrations: maps; sketches; short descriptive analyses

Illustrations
Urban context
Development of the Krapina city over the centuries
Land use

Analytical drawings

Please use analytical drawing for visualising the conflicts/potentials of your site

Analytical Drawings
TRAFFIC ANALYSIS
VIEW ANALYSIS
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Green Infrastructure benefits for this site

Look again at the multiple benefits of green infrastructure - what could be achieved in your site and which are most relevant?

Green infrastructure’s benefits can generally be classified into three large categories: social benefits, environmental benefits and economical benefits.

'1.Social benefits:' Krapinica river passes through urban and rural areas of Krapina city administrative boundaries. In the city center, which has an urban character, there are different urban elements and structures that have important cultural purposes. If those areas would get associated with the river, they would have more of a socialcomponent and importance and the social life could develop on entire river and not just in some small parts.

'2.Environmental benefits:' Krapinica river does not abound with fresh water because of a profound and extending riverbed which speeds up water flow through the city. During high rainfall season, it affects the groundwater and river water table. Restoring the river in more natural movement through the Krapina town would lead to groundwater levels maintained, rainwater retention, stormwater retained, stream flows stabilized.

'3.Economical benefits:' Connecting the Krapina city and the wider surrounding area (with green corridors, biking and hiking trails) will lead to greater development of tourism. Combining the surrounding areas with facilities along on the Krapinica river can result in quality of place, recreation and leisure, turism, land and biodiversity.

Potential for multifunctionality

Green infrastructure has typically multiple functions. What could be achieved for your site in this respect?

Projective drawings

How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)
- you may add a short explanation here

And how could it look like in 10-15 years?
- you may add a short explanation here

Projective Drawings
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Summary and conclusion

Rivers are an important element of green infrastructure.

Image Gallery

Photo gallery shows new and old photographs and postcards of Krapina city. On the old postcards we can see the quantity and distribution of surrounding green areas in town and the way open space is being used. On today's photographs the quantity of green open areas is smaller and not used to its potential compared to the past use.