Aerodrom Neighbourhood, Skopje
Rehabilitation of Mass Housing Neighbourhoods
Student Workshop
Faculty of Architecture – Skopje (UKIM-FA)
Skopje, September 2022
Participating Students: Ana Bojadjievska, Jusra Durmishi, Ljupka Koceva, Verica Rizova, Bojana Stankovska, Diana Stefanovikj, Nina Strezovska, Mahmud Tale, Ana Tashkovska, Faton Kjerimi
Tutor: Aleksandra Shulevska
Organizers (UKIM-FA): Ana Ivanovska Deskova, Jovan Ivanovski, Mihajlo Stojanovski, Tea Damjanovska
Photographer: Mila Gavrilovska
Site visit, 2022 v. Planned urban development, 1975
The Aerodrom settlement is a mass housing neighbourhood situated in the eastern part of Skopje. The first residential units on the territory date back to the post-war period, representing a logical extension of the city towards east. However, what today could be recognized as the most distinguishable built structure within Aerodrom was constructed during the late 1970s and 1980s in order to meet the housing needs and much of the predicted growth and development of the city after the earthquake in 1963.
The choice of the location for this massive endeavour was subject of a thorough ‘threshold analysis’, in order to identify the topographic limitations, seismological and hydrological suitability of the ground (one of the primary concerns after the earth-quake), as well as the positions of the existing industries as a main source of employment. In 1974 (from May until October), seven relevant architectural and urbanistic institutions from former Yugoslavia participated in the invited competition for conceptual urban design.
Aerodrom neighbourhood Skopje, planned urban development, 1975
Connecting element / Pointcloud site plan
The workshop aims to explore and propose different scenarios for urban renewal of the area, exploiting the concept of urban acupuncture as an architectural design practice of urban regeneration; a soft transformation with a revitalizing impact on the mass housing neighbourhood and its immediate surroundings.
The concept, introduced by architect Jaime Lerner, defines urban acupuncture as an urban design strategy. Based on the hypothesis that interventions in public spaces do not need to be on a large scale to have a transformative impact, we are looking forward to student designs that will help to improve the relationship between the space and the community.
Urban acupuncture segments
