5-6-2009
Every city has its own dynamics. Glory, decline, fall and success, all stages in history leave their traces. In the development of cities these traces are sometimes neglected or even erased. The ‘internationalisation’ in town planning and development creates more and more generic cities out of every place. This phenomenon makes an ‘anyplace’ out of any place. In these circumstances the traces and relicts can play an increasing role in the cities’ identity, in the creation for the future.

The Kaptol in Zagreb wears still many traces of history. The main effort here is to keep those traces, restore them and ‘use’ them in order to define principles for urban development. By doing so, the Kaptol will define again the identity of Zagreb together with other distinct places in the city.
By adding new activities within the giving principles, the Kaptol will add new meaning to Zagreb and is ready to play the next stage in the city’s history

By ‘reading’ the physical structure of the Kaptol one can define the meaning of the building blocks; densely built blocks along the Tkalceciva street, a ‘civic and merchant street’, distinguished facades along the Opatovina street and formal buildings with inner courts along the old city wall. By understanding the typology of the blocks, the newly demanded activities can be placed in a manner that they really fit, emphasize the existing qualities and even add meaning.

Mental Map
The actual mental map for the Kaptol hill is reduced to the southern tip (1/3) of the hill. The church and it surroundings and the Dolac marketplace are best known. The connection of this area with the ‘rest’ of the Kaptol hill is hardly visible anymore.

Opportunities
We ask for consciousness for the chances in the northern (2/3) part of Kaptol hill;
1. Improvement public space;
2. Expression of the city wall at the park side and redefine it’s boundaries;
3. Increase of the permeability of the existing structure, and
4. Add new activities

Full potential experienced
By redefining the northern part, the whole area can and will be part of the future mental map and can be experienced as One Kaptol Hill.

With the Kaptol district redefined as pedestrian area, the public space can be upgraded to fit this description. The asphalt will be replaced by pavement. The Kaptol street will transformed into a boulevard shaded by rows of trees, breathing a relaxing atmosphere. People can strol up and down the street visiting the Comedy theatre, the Diocesan Museum or enjoy a drink with a good view on the Cathedral.
Destinations in the Kaptol will be numerous, each in its own distinct environment. A walk through the Kaptol will provide an interesting rhythm of varying spaces and experiences.

Kaptol’s proximity to the main Zagreb square (Ban Jelacic) gives it potential to strengthen the way the city is perceived for its culture and history. Kaptol together with Gradec will be the representative heart of Zagreb, the address for formal institutions as well as for museums. The people of Zagreb can experience the cultural and historical surrounding and enjoy their stay in the Park. By reinterpreting the historical layers within the Kaptol we can distinguish 3 zones, all related to different streets.

1 Leisure and entertainment
This zone acts as an intermediary between the Kaptol and Gradec. The street houses bars and restaurants and attracts a lot of people. The current functioning can be maintained and might be improved.

2 Commerce
Here used to be the civilian district of Kaptol, with streets belonging to tradesmen. Its direct connection to the Dolac market enables this street to, in time, become a high-end shopping street while still preserving its own atmosphere. Closed courtyards and secluded establishments should be discouraged and could eventually be transformed into kiosks and shops

3 Religion and Culture.
The Kaptol developed as the seat for the church with adjacent offices. The locus of course has been Kaptol street. The proximity of the Cathedral and Archdiocese gave the Kaptol shape and identity. The street must breath an atmosphere of eminence and ambrosia. The closed canon houses could open up and facilitate cultural institutions or public shops which support the streets identity, (e.g. music shop, a prestigious
bookshop.)
The programmatic zones follow the existing streets. It has the potential to become a favourable district for Zagreb people to meet and have a drink, to spend their time shopping near Opatovina Street or take a walk around the monumental facades and walls.