Pristina is the capital and largest city of Kosovo, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. It is located in the northeastern part of Kosovo, near the Goljak mountains, and has a population of around 200,000–300,000 people, making it the most populous city in Kosovo.

Pristina has roots dating back to Illyrian and Roman times, later becoming an important Ottoman trade and administrative center.

It houses Kosovo’s government institutions, including the Parliament, Presidency, and Prime Minister’s office. The city is home to major cultural institutions like the National Library of Kosovo, the Ethnological Museum, and the Newborn Monument, a symbol of Kosovo’s independence.

Pristina has a young population and is home to the University of Pristina, the largest university in Kosovo.

Mati 1 is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Pristina, known for its new apartment complexes, modern housing, and commercial developments.

Many young professionals and families prefer Mati 1 due to its proximity to the city center, improved infrastructure, and growing amenities.

Mapping

Vision

Existing planning:

In the current masterplan, an extension of the existing road network is planned. Reusing these plannings, most notably the implementation of the Bypass Rruga A and E can reduce cost and plausibility of the project.

Dead-end streets:

Reduced traffic volume:

Dead-end streets discourage through traffic leading to quieter, safer streets.

Lower speeds:

Vehicles move slower in dead-end streets compared to through streets, reducing the risk of accidents.

Increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists:

Less traffic makes it safer for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in residential areas.

Better neighborhood environment:

Lower traffic volume contributes to a quieter, more livable atmosphere.

Public transport:

Regarding public transport, Mati is mostly dependent on bus travel. The existing network of Bus stops is rather dense, as one can see in the diagram map below. The busstop quantity and distances are sufficient.

There are official Bus lines organized by the municipality of Pristina.

Efforts in digitalization are to be noted. Since recently there is cooperation with the globally operating company Moovit.

All the bus schedules, bus lines and live tracking of individual busses are available in their app.

Cycling:

The most notable developed cycling paths in Mati are located alongside Rruga all aliu Kelmendi, Rruga B and in parts Muharem Fejza.

According to the Pristina Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) the demand for cycling infrastructure is steadily rising.

One recent reply to the rising demand is the introduction of a bike sharing system. Ten bike sharing stations have already been built throughout the city, with one located just north of Mati 1. The affordable renting process functions digitalized in an app.

Road safety:

The SUMP reveals road safety issues across Pristina: „Research reveals that the level of injury accidents is steadily rising, almost 3 times higher in Pristina than the EU average (per 1000 population)."

→ Crossings with bad visibility

→ Missing or cars blocking sidewalk

→ no lowered curbs

→ missing road crossings

→ bike paths built dangerously

Individual Transport:

The 2023 study „Behavioral science for

Transportation behavior in

Kosovo“ conducted by IDEAS42 found out, that even tho most people (72%) think positively about using public trans-portation in pristina 86% still routinely get around by car.

→ Dependency on Cars

→ Noise and air pollution

→ Crowded parking situation

→ Congested roads

Public Transport:

„If you have to go anywhere between 3pm and 6pm save yourself from hell and go out on foot“

→ Limited to bus

→ unreliable

→ Official and private buslines

→ Busstations not apparent

Cycling:

→ Steep topography in Mati 1

→ Lacking infrastructure

→ Troublesome societal image of cyclists

Dead end streets:

Limited Connectivity:

Dead-end streets increase travel distances, leading to inefficiencies.

Higher Congestion on Main Roads:

Since vehicles cant use dead-end streets as alternate rout espacially Muharem Fajzar experiences traffic congestions.

Potential for Traffic Bottlenecks:

In some cases, cul-de-sacs can cause localized congestion at their entrances/exits, especially during peak hours.

Challenges for Emergency Services:

Emergency vehicles may take longe to respond due to limited access, or traffic congestions on the connecting main road.

Mapping

Vision

(1) Uni Hospital Pristina

The University Clinical Center of Kosovo is the largest medical institu-tion in the country.greenspaces in hospital environments is known to have benefits.

(2) Park Ulpiana

Ulpiana Park in Pristina is a peaceful green-space with walking paths, a fountain, and a relaxing atmosphere, making it a popular spot for locals.

(3) Uni Pristina

The campus has green spaces with newly planted trees, a small park, and a botanical garden, creating a relaxing and eco-friendly environment.

(4) Verrezat monument

The site offers panoramic views of the city. The surrounding area features a park with walking paths and green spaces.

(5) Pristina city park

The park features a variety of trees, benches, paved walking trails, a children's playground, and a café in immediate proximity to the city centre.

Fallow land within Mati 1:

Close to the physical center of Mati 1 is sizeable area of fallow land that is in large parts owned by the government. Therefore It provides potential for design implementations on a urban scale.

Private greenspace:

Unbuilt plots, older individual houses, that are not always inhabited often have private greenspace towards the public area. These gardens and houses could be reutalized as semipublic and public greenspaces.

Existing semipublic park:

A semipublic park is located in the east part of Mati 1. While it is accessible publicly its physically shielded from the surrounding fabric by apartment komlexes. Private green areas intersect and add to its guality of stay.

There is a general lack of developed (public) green space within mati. Greenspace exists but have no real quality. They are often trashed, or not cared for at all.

quality greenspaces are mostly private or semiprivate and pride limited to none accessability for the general public.

trashed/private greenspaces in Mati

Greenspace accessability

Mapping

Vision

Existing Infrastructure:

Most notably the existing primary school in the south of Mati holds Potential. Its location is central and it can therefore service all Children in Mati.

If its capacities reach the limit there is no shortage of undeveloped area surrounding the school. It could easily be replanned.

Typology:

The hybrid building typology commonly found in mati 1 with office spaces or residential usage on top and commercial areas on the ground floor enhances both functionality and urban vibrancy.

The commercial spaces activate the streetscape, attracting foot traffic and creating a dynamic environment.

This mix also increases property value by diversifying revenue streams and ensuring continuous activity throughout the day.

Additionally, it promotes sustainability by reducing commuting needs and encouraging walkability. By efficiently utilizing space, this typology supports urban density and contributes to a more functional and livable city.

Urban scale:

→ Student housing not sufficient 4000 dormitory spaces for 25.000 students

→ Lack of sport facilities within rapidly growing area

Mati scale:

→ education infrastructure not sufficient:

→ no highshool in the area

→ childcare not sufficient:

→ no public kindergarden in the area

→there are very vew nightlife locations outside the city centre

→ High demand for new Civic infrastructure

→ Capycity primary school... rapid densification

→ Few public spaces for children in general

→ No nightlife locations in the area

→ No multifunctional gathering places, creative spaces, etc

→ Existing Recreational sport infrastructure mostly private

Learnings

Potentials:

→ Unbuilt Plots. Older individual houses for development or reuse

→ SOB overlaps are existing

→ Kids as potential to bring generations together

→ Students as target group

→ Limited budget leads to students

→ Avoiding car ownership

→ After graduation some students stay

→ Opportunities for further densification

Problems:

→ Existing overlap areas dont provide Civic infrastructure, no connecting spaces, no areas of interaction

→ Areas are devided by fallow land/streets

→ "Grey zone" inbetween

→ "Connecting With new people is hard!"

Vision

→ Give greyspaces new charater and quality of stay

→ Intervention in greyspaces

→ Interventions to catalize interaction

→ Intervention close to overlap