Denis Ambruš, Vlatko Dusparić
https://doi.org/10.60152/x7e4vd05
Abstract: The small peninsula on the western coast of Istria represents the landscape level of the existential space of the city of Poreč. Through a conscious choice of construction sites, the urban level of the existential space of the planned city/colony of ancient Parentium (Poreč) was shaped. On the relatively small area of the peninsula, a strict orthogonal system was applied with longitudinal and transversal streets forming blocks of rectangular base. The configuration of the urban level of the existential space continued to develop in the direction of the decumanus towards the inland, occupying natural areas. Research into the urban identity of the existing urban structure of Poreč points to the most important elements of identity:
• valuable urban spaces of the historic core on the peninsula and its extensions towards the mainland created on the block grid.
• ensembles and individual buildings of the highest value (Euphrasian Basilica, palaces, interpolation of the Neptun Hotel, …).
• corridor-like dispersion of tourist facilities in the urban coastal area as the prevailing spatial pattern.
• the interweaving of city and nature at the city edges (the sea, greenery in the hinterland that in some parts approaches the coast).
The existing urban structure of Poreč indicates mistakes that, in our opinion, relate to hotel complexes located along the coast and multi-family residential areas. The analysis points to the problem with interventions in the renovation and reconstruction of existing hotel points, in which tourist resources – nature – are consumed. The altered surroundings thus become irrelevant as a reason for tourist visits. Problematic are also the multi-family housing settlements built in the 1950s, constructed in line with the prevailing practices of modern urbanism that interrupt the continuity of the block matrix as part of the urban identity. The fragmentation of the urban structure is also contributed to by tourist facilities that occupy large parts of the urban coastline in a punctiform manner. The observed shortcomings indicate the need to protect public interest in the city’s spatial planning process.
Keywords: Poreč, tourist destination, urban identity, protection of public interest
How to cite this Paper (Harvard referencing style):
Ambruš, D. and Dusparić, V. (2025) ‘Tourist Destination Poreč‘, in R. Bogdanović (ed.) On Architecture — Crosscutting and Fusion of Disciplines, Proceedings. Belgrade, Serbia: STRAND, pp. 323–328.
See publication On Architecture (2025) Conference Proceedings