Application of the Heritage Urbanism Model on the Example of the Renovation and Revitalisation of the Town Parks of Opatija

Abstract

Opatija, the first climatic health resort on the eastern coast of the Adriatic and the elegant center of the tourist riviera of the same name in Croatia, is characterized by an impressive identity and a unique image of the town formed in the unity of urbanism, architecture and park architecture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Town authorities strive to protect, restore and revitalize their rich park heritage, especially town parks and promenades. Therefore, Opatija's town parks were considered as a case study in the scientific project Heritage Urbanism (HERU), which defined general and special models for the renovation and revitalization of cultural-historical heritage. This paper provides an overview of appropriate models of renovation and revitalization of all ten Opatija's town parks using the HERU method, based on established factors of their identity and criteria for preserving their values, improving their condition and possible new interventions in them. It is concluded that it would be necessary to apply a certain combination of 14 general and special models. The results of the research are applicable in urban planning and tourist development planning in Opatija and other similar tourist resorts in Croatia and abroad.