Tbilisi Urban Forest (Narikala Ridge Forest), Georgia, is one of 40 works shortlisted from 362 nominations from 20 different countries by the Contemporary Architecture/Mies van der Rohe Awards (EUmies Awards) jury.
The awards are given every second year to works completed within the previous two years by architects from Creative Europe participating countries. They recognize and commend excellence and innovation in the field of architecture.
The Narikala Botanical Garden is located in the very center of the capital. It was created in the mid-20th century by Soviet biologists, who planted pine monocultures to reduce erosion and cool the city. The ageing plantations have in the past few years begun suffering significant die-off from pests and fungi, posing a fire hazard and public safety risk.
In 2020, the city of Tbilisi initiated a project to repopulate the Tbilisi Urban Forest with a biodiverse palette of endemic and climate-adapted species. A new approach to afforestation that combines ecology, technology and aesthetics was created and tested in Narikala.
This February, the EUmies jury, counting Frédéric Druot (chair), Martin Braathen, Pippo Ciorra, Tinatin Gurgenidze, Adriana Krnáčová, Sala Makumbundu and Hrvoje Njiric will announce the finalists. Then, the jury members will visit these works and make their final decision.
In April, the Architecture and Emerging Winners will be announced, and the awards ceremony will take place in May at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona. The Architecture Prize winner and the Emerging Architecture Prize Winner will receive €60,000 and €30,000 respectively, and they and the project supporters (those who commission the buildings) will also receive a sculpture recognizing their essential contributions to contemporary architecture.
Highlighting today’s shared culture of architecture throughout Europe
The 40 works shortlisted are examples of how architects continue to undertake the endeavors to design responsibly, ethically and environmentally. They also highlight the importance that architecture, urban planning and governance need to work together in an even stronger way to achieve long term city projects.
The jury frequently referred to “ambition” considering that architecture is an activity of public interest and must be designed ensuring high-quality living spaces and built environment for everyone. Among the 40 selected works, an important number are transnational projects, and half of the selected works are located in relatively small cities and towns.
Source: euneighbourseast
