In Velenje, the youngest Slovenian city, the renovation of the city promenade was recently completed. A winding path, a new modern bridge, an interesting garage house and white stairs that go down to the river have brought freshness and a new place for socializing to the city.
The Velenj Promenade was created in the mid-seventies of the 20th century. At that time, the modern urban equipment was already quite dilapidated, the bridge over the Paka was heavily damaged, and some communal and communication lines also needed to be renovated. That's why they decided a few years ago that it was time for a refresh.
The preparation of the promenade renovation project began with a creative workshop within the framework of the European Capital of Culture 2012. Representatives of the professional public were involved in the decision-making process about the promenade and its future arrangement through workshops and discussions, and public debates were also organized where citizens could give their opinion. . Then a public tender was published for the creation of a conceptual design for the renovation of the promenade, which was won by the Ljubljana architectural bureau Unit.
The area of the promenade is located in the very center of the youngest Slovenian city, and is considered to be the main line of communication that pupils and students of the Velenje School Center and visitors to the health center use daily to access the city centre. The central element of the new promenade is a narrower and winding path that leads from individual program to program, and only slightly widens at the points of turns. These extensions feature benches and trees that create spaces to stop and socialize. The new arrangement tries to convince the user that he does not have to rush from the parking garage to the city center along the most beautiful route and instead invites him to enjoy a walk.
The new bridge is slightly offset in line with the winding path and very narrow compared to the old one. It leaves the main role to the water element, which is more present from the elegant bridge. Around the bridge, on both banks, there are steps leading down to the water, which allows visitors to experience the river up close. This is the first location in Velenje, which takes advantage of the water element of the Paka River, which is otherwise removed from the city's activities and immersed in its bed. The white stairs that go down to the water form a kind of amphitheater, which is intended for holding events in the city center and socializing young people.
The renovation of the promenade also included the renovation of the facade of the Velenje Health Center and the construction of a two-story garage building, which is somehow dug into the terrain and therefore works unobtrusively. The green facade made of expanded metal also contributes to the pleasant appearance. Judging by the reactions of the audience, the new promenade is very dear to the residents of Velenj and they visit it with pleasure.
