MARIJA RUŽIČKA STROZZI PARK
May 29, 2025
Ploče Brunch School
May 31, 2025
2019–2023 | BUČINA ZONE (Biograd na Moru) | STORMWATER DRAINAGE DESIGNER

PROJECT: STORMWATER DRAINAGE WITH RAIN GARDEN AND PEDESTRIAN PATH DESIGN

The Rain Garden Project in the woodland area of the Bučina municipal-service zone was conceived as a sustainable solution to the flooding of the Adriatic Highway (D8) caused by heavy rainfall.

At the invitation of the City of Biograd na Moru, and within the framework of the STREAM – Strategic Development of Flood Management project, implemented by the ZADRA NOVA – Development Agency of Zadar County, I developed a concept that integrates ecological stormwater management technologies with technical solutions from hydraulic engineering and spatial enhancement of a recreational zone. The project unites green and blue infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and the social function of space — creating a resilient, aesthetically valuable, and functional whole.

Key project components include:

  • Analysis of stormwater dynamics flowing from the Bučina zone above the Adriatic Highway, which effectively resolved the long-standing issue of road flooding.
  • Design and implementation of two rain gardens — one adjacent to a newly formed plateau on the site of a former construction waste landfill (now a scenic viewpoint), and the other within a forested area.
  • Landscape design connecting the rain gardens through the creation of a gathering and recreation plateau, along with the integration of a new pedestrian and cycling path.
  • Urban furnishing of the park with benches, waste bins, and bicycle racks — with a strong focus on accessibility, comfort, and user-friendly functionality.
  • Ecologically sensitive integration of the project into the existing environment — through the reuse of excavated materials and planting of native species, ensuring natural assimilation into the local landscape.

The project has been successfully implemented and today serves as a model of good practice in sustainable spatial planning — a green oasis that enhances the hydrological, ecological, aesthetic, and social value of the area, while strengthening the resilience of the urban environment to climate challenges.

Technical specifications:

Rain Garden Z1 – Area: approx. 6,552.0 m² | Inflow: Q = 57.7 l/s | Infiltration zone volume: V₁ = 78.0 m³
Rain Garden Z2  – Area: approx. 8,363.0 m²   | Inflow: Q = 142.0 l/s  | Infiltration zone volume: V₂ = 179.0 m³