Revitalization of the Feroviarilor Park

Located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the project revitalises a former neglected green corridor along the Someș River into an ecological and cultural park. By renaturalising the riverbanks and creating wetlands, it restores biodiversity and water resilience. Four thematic strips—ecological, cultural, social, and fluvial—organise diverse public uses, while local materials and native vegetation strengthen the park’s identity and its dialogue with the river and the city.

The project addresses the isolation and degradation of Feroviarilor Park, a post-industrial green space fragmented by infrastructure and disconnected from the Someș River. The strategy reclaims this forgotten landscape by re-establishing the river as the ecological and social backbone of the area. The renaturalisation of the riverbanks and the creation of wetlands respond to climate resilience and biodiversity goals, while preserving existing trees maintains memory and identity. A layered functional structure—four parallel strips with distinct intensities of use—ensures coexistence between nature and urban life. They were distributed over the park area according to the intensity of human activities, respecting the general scenario of tranquility from the built space to the natural one. The design integrates ecological restoration, civic accessibility, and cultural activation, turning the park into a catalyst for urban regeneration and collective belonging.

The project employs a minimal and sustainable material palette to harmonise with the park’s natural character and reduce maintenance. Pathways and platforms are designed as lightweight, reversible structures that respect existing topography and tree roots. Local materials were prioritised to lower transport impact and cost. The rainwater management system directs runoff into newly created wetlands, ensuring natural filtration and supporting biodiversity. Vegetation was selected for resilience and low maintenance, with native species suited to the hydrological conditions of the Somes River. The flexible, modular design allows future adaptation without heavy interventions. Maintenance focuses on seasonal vegetation care and sediment control in wetlands, ensuring long-term ecological performance and economic efficiency.