Imeretinskaya embankment is about three kilometers between the stadiums of the 2014 Winter Olympics and the wide river Mzymta. Now it is built up, and quite densely, with coastal apartments, which appeared before the Olympics, and for some time served for her needs. On the second line, a pond and greenery have been preserved, a long promenade with a bicycle path stretches a little further along the sea, and pebble beaches are scattered at the very edge of the water, which the Sochi residents used to consider their reserves since the time when there was no embankment and stood in its place state farm.
Despite this, it is difficult to call the current Imeretinka an ideal resort. A cargo-passenger port was built between Mzymta and the promenade. It was necessary to prepare for the Olympics, but now it is idle. The port blocks the view of the sea, and is also considered a strategic object, therefore, it is surrounded on all sides by metal fences, into which everyone who decides to take a walk or ride a bike rests. Because of this, you have to get to the pedestrian zone at random, along a narrow dusty path, maneuvering between cars. In the lower part, the embankment is protected from the waves by an imposing gray wall, which leaves no chance to admire the seascapes. From the famous beaches, only a strip of five to six meters wide, abutting against concrete slabs, remained. In a word, now the territory of the Imeretinskaya embankment resembles a hastily assembled and sewn patchwork quilt.
The Agency for Strategic Development "Center" decided to reshape it and turn it into a single modern recreation area, unique by the standards of the Black Sea coast. The Chinese bureau Turenscape was entrusted with the implementation of the concept, which has an impressive experience in working with spaces near the water. It was Turenscape who at one time were able to revive and turn into an eco-park an almost hopeless marina with a steel plant in Shanghai, for which they received an award from the World Architecture Festival (WAF). Among other things, thanks to this project, in just a few years, fresh water in reservoirs on the once industrial territory has become potable in terms of quality. For this, the sponge technology was used, which is based on a system of tanks of different sizes and types. Rain and melt water first enter the artificially swampy areas, and only then, after going through a natural cleaning cycle, enter the lakes. The same principle of "sponges" is planned to be used in Sochi.
According to the project, the Imeretinskaya embankment will be divided into six functional zones smoothly flowing into each other. The fences will be removed, they will create convenient logical transitions between sites and an understandable navigation system. The Mzymta estuary will turn into a city beach Kamchatka with imported black sand and everything you need for swimming. It will become easier to get here by public transport - a stop will be located nearby, and by car: there is a large parking lot. In the depths, behind the beach, there is a shady park area for quiet walks around the pond. It will be connected by a pedestrian bridge to the port, the building of which will be occupied by a museum of contemporary art with a permanent exhibition. The “Park Promenade” space will begin from the port. This is also a beach area, but already large in area and varied in content. In addition to the beach, there will be a yacht club and a marina in the fenced off water area. The land will be divided between swimming pools, fountains, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. An observation deck and an amphitheater will also be erected here.
With the annoying huge concrete wave shield that blocks the view of the sea, they decided to deal with it simply. The embankment on this site will be raised just to the height of the wall, thus providing a better view than natural. The site received the appropriate name "Vysoky Bereg", and the territory beyond it and up to the stadiums will be given to the sixth zone - the "Olympic Belt", where they will set up grounds for practicing active sports.
The project for the reconstruction of the Imeretinskaya embankment, according to its creators, will not only increase the tourist attractiveness of this part of the coast, but thanks to modern technologies Turenscape will return it to the ecological balance, spoiled by the construction of Olympic facilities.
