Urban puzzle

Urban puzzle is a concept of a neighborhood based on mutual urban-rural ties and socio-ecological relations. Despite the fact, that the study area covers suburbs of a medium-size city Poznań in Poland inhabited by over 500,000 people, the proposed solutions could serve as a model to implement in other places. The main problem of the place is an uncontrolled and chaotic urban sprawl.

The goal is to design a zero-emission settlement that responses to current urban challenges. The project includes solutions for "green mobility", "blue-green infrastructure"; and "city inclusiveness". The circulation model covers green public transport, electric private vehicles and ensuring close walkable distances between housing and services. The blue-green infrastructure encompasses an urban forest that serves as a carbon sink, rural agriculture spots that ensure food security and an eco-net of pocket-parks mingling with the development. All those green forms mitigate the problem of flash-floods, civilization diseases and the loss of biodiversity. Needs of all residents, no matter what age or material status, are valued equally. There are food sharing solutions incorporated into the project.

Only the combination of all those elements, like a puzzle, forms a properly functioning urban landscape of the future. The entire complex is a hybrid of different urban theories mixed together. It ensures the creation of mutual supportive connections between the neighborhood and the surrounding landscape.