One way to increase Batumi’s charm on tourists was restore the historical waterfront, well-known from latest 19 Century. But citizens in a modern city need also green areas and public spaces. Following the assignment of Batumi City Hall, Spanish office CMD Ingenieros designed in 2009 a new urban park along the coast southwards the city centre. Two years later completing this project, Batumi people show very positive feelings and emotions and use it in a natural way to enjoy the beach, practice sports and attend open-air events.

The park was designed starting from the urban grid of old Batumi, composed mainly by symmetrically organized square blocks. This pattern is the first layer of the conception of the park, and symbolizes the link to the history of the city. A second layer goes on top of the first one, it is an organic pattern based on curved lines that seem to flow through the park weaving trees, water, paths and lights.

Park gridlines want to reproduce main elements of a typical natural area avoiding an urban scene. These elements, like water and vegetation, have been distributed around the surface in order to create an organic shape. The green pattern changes continuously with the seasons, offering different spectacles during the year. The rich flora of Ajara plays a leading role in this layer. The river Mejinisckali draws a line across the boulevard, signing it and personalizing the location. Two footbridges have been designed both to cross it and to highlight its presence.

The idea behind this project was to transmit to Batumi’s people very positive feelings and emotions about their political context, recently in change and progress. Many areas for activities have been integrated on the boulevard and the park, apart from those ones traditionally related to enjoying the beach, so it is plenty of life throughout the year. In addition, the new boulevard creates a transition area between the sea and the city (160 m.-width) avoiding constructions on the seafront and supporting the strategy of sustainable tourism.