SCENARIOS FOR OPEN SPACE CONVERSION FROM AN EXHIBITION GROUND TO A SUSTAINABLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL URBAN PARK

Abstract

It is not usual that in a strictly urbanised environment in the immediate vicinity of a regional capital centre, a large number of open spaces with a huge potential for future recreational use are concentrated in one place. The largest Slovak exhibition centre Agrokomplex, which at national level ranks among the most important trade fair and exhibition companies, has a long tradition in organising various events. Unfortunately, the current state does not meet the requirements of existing or potential users. Over time, its primary function has slowly faded, which has left behind spaces available for change. The article focuses on the potential use of the area in changing conditions through the perspective of diverse ideas, scenarios and solutions developed within three design studios. Following the methodology of Research by Design (Deming & Swaffield, 2011) (van den Brink, 2017) the paper identifies the main approaches and key principles to a complex renewal of the site. All designed interventions were proposed while considering various possibilities of creating an open multifunctional part of the surrounding residential complex and adjacent locations with the predominance of recreational and leisure activities. The results provide three different design scenarios with various approaches to introducing multi-layered functions into non-functional spaces.