Park Brdo is one of the larger parks in Ljubljana. Once a clay pit and farmland, the area has long been overlooked despite its important role for the western part of the city, and is now taking on a new function. Its former industrial and agricultural uses are gradually giving way to community gardens for self-sufficiency, while existing landscape features, such as forest edges and areas of spontaneous growth, are preserved to support local biodiversity.

The proposed alternative solution, based on minimal intervention, strengthens both biodiversity and the diversity of programmes. It takes existing patterns of use and local characteristics to establish a hierarchy of paths and programme units that do not compete with the public spaces in the Novo Brdo and Grba neighbourhoods, but rather complement them and strengthen their connection with the area’s natural character.

Programmes at the edges, nature at the heart

The area interweaves several habitat types, creating a varied experience of the transition between urban and natural landscape. By diversifying green spaces, we create a mosaic of microhabitats, greater biodiversity and a wider range of programmes. None of the proposed interventions disrupts the existing habitat types.

Already during the preparation of the proposed solution, we explored the behaviour and needs of existing users through observation, walks with users, an analysis of residents’ initiatives and on-site interviews. The area is used by a diverse group of people of all ages and interests – walkers, athletes, schoolchildren, dog owners, cyclists, gardeners and families. The interviews showed that users greatly value the area’s natural qualities and spontaneity, while also expressing a desire for small improvements - above all better lighting, upgraded main paths and additional programmes – while retaining the "wild" character of the space.

We place more intensive programmes at the edges of the park, connecting it with the two neighbourhoods, while the central part is kept green. The programme units are conceived as a response to the monotony of the open spaces in both neighbourhoods. The park is equipped with entrance squares, recreational areas (a sports island, fitness trail and cycling course), playgrounds (forest playground, water play area and forest classroom), opportunities for interaction with water (wetland, beach and dog park), and smaller spaces for socialising. Like the programmes, urban furniture is placed primarily at the edges of the park and in forest settings.