Abstract
This paper presents research on the conversion of the abandoned Kanfanar–Rovinj railway into a bicycle–pedestrian path, with the aim of including it in the existing network of bicycle–pedestrian paths in the Istria County in Croatia. This would enable better connection of the repurposed railway corridor with the surrounding natural and cultural values and better use of the spatial potential, which would create more favorable conditions for the revitalization of the wider rural environment. In order to identify the existing potential of the area, as well as the impact of the proposed intervention on critical areas, a method of multicriteria analysis was used. The result of the analysis was a model of the suitability of the space, i.e., five value categories that make the space more or less suitable for accommodating new pedestrian and bicycle paths. In order to emphasize the importance of individual spatial contents in the modeling process, the method of weighted linear combination was used. Finally, the nature of the project and its potential impact on the environment have conditioned the selection of the appropriate aspect of the model and of the space’s suitability, which is further used for locating the new pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Highlights
The 21 km long Kanfanar–Rovinj railway was opened to traffic on 20 September 1876 due to the need to connect factories and strengthen industry in the city of Rovinj
Like many railway networks in the world that were closed in the 1960s [1,2], the cessation of traffic on the Kanfanar–Rovinj railway occurred in that period (1966), which can be justified for several reasons
The aim is for this bicycle–pedestrian path to be used as a conceptual plan to provide a connection with the peninsula’s historical, cultural, and natural heritage and create all types of ecotourism that promotes the participation of the local population
Summary
The 21 km long Kanfanar–Rovinj railway was opened to traffic on 20 September 1876 due to the need to connect factories and strengthen industry in the city of Rovinj.Like many railway networks in the world that were closed in the 1960s [1,2], the cessation of traffic on the Kanfanar–Rovinj railway occurred in that period (1966), which can be justified for several reasons.Strengthening the competitiveness of road traffic in Istria in the 1960s and increasing the number of private vehicles [3], a lack of money for railway reconstruction, and a reduced transport volume [4] were the main arguments for the decision to abolish the railway. The 21 km long Kanfanar–Rovinj railway was opened to traffic on 20 September 1876 due to the need to connect factories and strengthen industry in the city of Rovinj. The greenway network was built from old railway lines and converted to create environmental, economic, and social benefits for people [7,8]. This transformation attests to many European and international examples of the conversion of these neglected structures into bicycle paths intended for sustainable mobility. Istria County is recognized as a tourist destination throughout the year and needs to develop sustainable mobility that will bring about additional economic and social benefits but at the same time conserving and repairing environmental, cultural, and historic value. A case study from Portugal [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
