Design for a challenging natural environment
The site for Anaklia Smart City is uniquely positioned between the new Anaklia Special Economic Zone and the Kolkheti National Park. Bounded by two rivers the development area consists of wetlands, creeks, sand dunes, agricultural land and clusters of houses.
The ambition is to become a world-class port city, the premier hub for the Black Sea Coast and a significant driver of the regional economy. The masterplan needs to protect the existing biodiversity and promote accessibility to the surrounding countryside and wildlife while mitigating air and noise pollution from its industry activities.
A vibrant green polycentric city
The overarching vision is to create a new city made up of a collection of towns or clusters connected by a sustainable urban infrastructure corridor. Each town will have its own distinct character with all the facilities needed to support a vibrant community. Unique but complementary industry clusters, including advanced agri-business, IT and education, will create an environment conducive to innovation and productivity. With a wide range of leisure opportunities supporting social interaction, people from all income brackets can live locally and contribute to the community.
The design concept enables people to work, live and play within walking and accessible public transport distance from their homes. A 90m wide infrastructure corridor underpins the transport strategy and includes a local road, a two-track railway line and a motorway with up to two lanes in each direction, providing connectivity out of the city.
The core Bus Rapid Transit loop covers the whole city, easily accessible by pedestrians.
The geometric grid of the masterplan reflects the agricultural plots of the surrounding countryside, and references local heritage. Existing canals and creeks were retained as an important part of the flood management strategy and adding to the bio-diversity and habitats of the landscape.
Plots along the new urban green spine are connected by green corridors giving a sense of orientation, rhythm and space to breathe within the city. Open spaces will occupy 37% of the 630 ha development.
