Paradise lost?

Abstract

This project is about the urban river Radobolja a tributary of Neretva located in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Radobolja river is a river with a rich history value for the city. There was a rich flora and fauna, but during the last century through urban sprawl and war, Radobolja was neglected and is now heavy polluted. The river lost its identity and is cut in several sections with all a different character. Ecologists, fisherman and civilians are all worried about the river. The fish are gone and the river turned into a no-go area. The city of Mostar used to be in touch with nature, but seems to have lost this connection. Rivers and their landscape provide space for a wide range of natural, economic and social benefits. The Radobolja is a typical urban river, with all the problems and possibilities. It will be used as a case study for an urban river restoration plan to uplift the connection with nature and make the river a go to place instead of a place to avoid. Because of its scale (only 5km log and entirely laying in the city), this restoration can have a big impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods and the rest of the city of Mostar. The design use the lived experience of the river as a guidance to discover the already contained beauty of the river. This restoration plan with involves cleaning the river and adds aesthetic value to the river. This is done by implementing a path along the river which connects the three design locations. These design locations are connected with the three nature principle. One closely connected to the wilderness, one to the rich orchard history of Mostar