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Revitalizing instead of expanding At the same time, these projects can bring back elements that are currently missing. At Nordika, this includes introducing greenery and public space into an area where they are now largely absent. Located within walking distance of the city centre and in close proximity to Ljubljana\u2019s main train and bus station, the site also supports a more compact urban model, where daily needs are closer together and less dependent on car use.<\/p>\n A neighbourhood connected to its surroundings This is in line with the philosophy of David Sim, an urban planner and author of the book Soft City, with whom Corwin collaborates on their projects. Sim emphasises that the quality of a city does not depend solely on the number of inhabitants or new buildings, but above all on the proximity of services, public space and opportunities for everyday contact between people. According to his concept of density, successful cities are created where home, work, shopping, school and social spaces are connected into an accessible and pleasant whole. The revitalisation of degraded areas is therefore not just a construction intervention, but an opportunity to create new urban communities.<\/p>\n Impact beyond the building plot When done well, revitalising underused areas can improve public space, increase accessibility, and introduce new everyday activity into parts of the city that were previously overlooked. Over time, this can help strengthen connections between neighbourhoods and contribute to a more continuous and active urban environment, ultimately raising the quality of life in the surrounding area. An excellent example of revitalising a neglected area is the Kvartet neighbourhood in Ljubljana\u2019s \u0160i\u0161ka district \u2014 Corwin\u2019s first project in Slovenia, which brought new life to a previously degraded site.<\/p>\n In such projects, continuity between planning and implementation is also important. The quality of a space is not only reflected in an ambitious design, but also in its consistent implementation, so that the final result preserves the key characteristics of the original vision.<\/p>\n Green infrastructure as part of the urban ecosystem Even smaller green areas, if interconnected, can form an important network of urban habitats for birds, insects and other organisms. Research conducted by Corwin in Slovakia together with a university has shown that green roofs on tall buildings can also play an important role in preserving biodiversity.<\/p>\n This approach is also reflected in the current projects of Nordika and Vilharia, where green roofs and green areas are not understood solely as a technical solution, but as part of a wider urban ecosystem.<\/p>\n Urban development as a long-term process Projects like Nordika are important \u2014 not only because of the new housing, but also because they raise questions about the kind of city we want to build in the future. In the transformation of neglected areas lies an opportunity to create more vibrant, resilient and sustainable urban communities that will serve both current and future generations.<\/p>\n This article is an advertising message by Corwin<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Unlike greenfield developments, brownfield projects are built on land that is already heavily used \u2013 often dominated by concrete surfaces with little ecological value. Redeveloping such sites means the city can grow without expanding into surrounding natural areas, while making better use of existing infrastructure and urban connections.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/odprtehiseslovenije.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Photo-2-scaled.jpg\")
\n<\/strong>Another aspect shaping newer residential projects is openness. Instead of functioning as isolated complexes, developments are increasingly designed to connect with their surroundings. Nordika follows this approach, with the intention of integrating into the existing urban fabric and contributing to the wider neighbourhood rather than standing apart from it. This type of planning goes beyond the boundaries of a single building plot. A quality neighbourhood is not just a collection of residential buildings, but a space that allows for meetings, movement and the use of public space and is meaningfully connected to the surrounding neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Experiences from similar projects across European cities show that the condition of urban space has a direct impact on its surroundings. Neglected and degraded sites often contribute to a gradual decline in the wider neighbourhood, while well-designed and maintained developments can have the opposite effect.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/odprtehiseslovenije.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Photo-1-scaled.jpg\")
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\n<\/strong>Modern urban planning approaches increasingly include green roofs, rainwater retention systems and green areas as an integral part of urban infrastructure. Such solutions improve the microclimate, reduce the urban heat island effect and contribute to greater biodiversity.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/odprtehiseslovenije.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Photo-5-scaled.jpg\")
\n<\/strong>Ljubljana is gradually evolving towards more sustainable and thoughtful urban development. The revitalization of brownfield sites shows that the city\u2019s growth can be directed inwards \u2013 by improving the existing urban space, creating quality public spaces and creating conditions for a more connected and people-friendly city.<\/p>\n
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