Italia-Croatia

19/05/2026

As part of the SUMMA project, financed through the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme 2021–2027, the “Conceptual Design for the Establishment of a Mechanical Connection Between Podlabin and Labin Old Town” has been completed, representing one of the most comprehensive and significant strategic documents related to urban mobility and spatial development in Labin in recent years.

The document was prepared for IRENA – the Istrian Regional Energy Agency by the Department of Architecture of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, with the participation of experts in architecture, urban planning, landscape design and mechanical transport systems. 

The conceptual design explores possibilities for establishing a modern, sustainable and multimodal transport connection between Podlabin and the historic core of Labin, with the aim of improving accessibility, reducing car traffic and enhancing the quality of public space and urban connectivity. The project is not viewed solely as an infrastructure intervention, but also as a potential new public space and development tool that could have a long-term impact on the way the city functions, on residents’ mobility and on Labin’s tourist attractiveness.

The study is based on the specific spatial and historical context of Labin – the relationship between the medieval Old Town situated on the hilltop and Podlabin, the town developed through industrialisation and mining traditions. The authors emphasise that this duality represents one of the key identity features of Labin and that a new mechanical connection could further strengthen both the functional and symbolic relationship between the two urban areas.

Special attention is given to sustainable mobility and reducing dependence on cars. The analysis shows that, due to the demanding topography, everyday pedestrian movement between Podlabin and the Old Town is physically challenging, while public transport within Labin remains limited. In this context, the mechanical connection is seen as a key element of a future multimodal mobility system that could integrate public transport, cycling infrastructure, e-bikes, micromobility solutions and parking systems.

Through a multi-phase research process and a “research by design” methodology, several types of mechanical transport systems were analysed:
•    cascading escalator systems, 
•    combinations of escalators and panoramic lifts, 
•    funicular railways, 
•    urban cable car systems. 

Following technical, urban planning and landscape analyses, two options emerged as the most promising and realistic solutions for further project development:
•    a cascading escalator system integrated into the hillside, 
•    a single-track funicular railway with a possible final vertical lift connection. 

Cascading Escalator Option
The first option is based on a system of interconnected escalator sections following the natural terrain and integrated into the existing topography. The concept aims to create a continuous pedestrian and mobility axis between Podlabin and the Old Town, where individual segments of the system would be connected through resting areas, small public spaces and green zones.
The main advantages of this option are its very high capacity and the possibility of phased implementation. Escalators allow a continuous passenger flow without waiting times associated with cabins or transport cycles, making them particularly suitable for everyday use and larger numbers of users. The study highlights that such a system could significantly encourage walking and reduce the use of cars for short urban trips.

Particular attention was devoted to the integration of the system into the landscape. The proposed route follows the natural hillside configuration while minimising visual impact on the views of the Old Town. In certain sections, covered structures are envisaged to protect the system from weather conditions, together with the integration of additional elements such as urban gardens, pedestrian paths and resting areas.

The challenges of this option include a large number of mechanical components, the need for continuous maintenance, and ensuring full accessibility for persons with reduced mobility and cyclists, which would require additional technical solutions such as lifts or dedicated tracks.

Funicular Railway Option
The second option is based on a funicular railway system connecting Podlabin and the Old Town through a single continuous rail route. The study particularly focused on a single-track funicular solution with a smaller spatial footprint, allowing better integration into the sensitive hillside landscape and historic urban environment.

The authors emphasise that the funicular offers a higher level of universal accessibility, greater comfort and a stronger identity and tourism potential. The ride itself is considered an experience and attraction, similar to examples found in numerous historic European cities where funicular systems have become an integral part of the city’s identity and tourist offer.
The funicular also requires fewer interventions along the route itself, although it necessitates more substantial lower and upper station structures. A particular challenge lies in integrating the upper station into the area of the former fish market and the historic city walls, which is why different solutions were considered, including panoramic lifts and pedestrian bridges connecting the final station with the historic core.

Compared to escalators, the funicular has a lower transport capacity and higher initial investment costs, but it also provides a more robust operational system and fewer mechanical components exposed to weather conditions. The study additionally highlights that this option could become a new recognisable symbol of Labin and an important element of its tourist and urban identity.

An important part of the document also focuses on the preservation of cultural heritage and landscape values. The hillside between Podlabin and the Old Town is recognised as a sensitive area of historical and environmental significance, including former gardens, stone retaining walls, historic stairways and the Church of St. Anthony of Padua. The authors stress the need for any future intervention to be carefully integrated into the topography and city views, while minimising negative impacts on the historic core of Labin.

The study further explores the application of advanced energy solutions such as regenerative braking, battery energy storage systems (BESS), photovoltaic systems, smart energy management and sensor-based operation of escalators and lifts.

The proposed concepts are aligned with European sustainability policies, including the DNSH (“Do No Significant Harm”) principle, the European Green Deal and the principles of the New European Bauhaus, with particular emphasis on energy efficiency, accessibility, quality public spaces and inclusiveness for all user groups.

Several workshops and expert discussions were organised during the preparation of the study, involving representatives of local institutions, utility companies, urban planning experts, mobility specialists and heritage protection stakeholders. This participatory process aimed to ensure that future solutions respond to the actual needs of the city and the local community, while positioning the project as part of a broader transformation of public space and urban mobility in Labin.

It is important to emphasise that the conceptual design does not represent a final decision regarding the future implementation of a mechanical connection system, nor does it confirm the execution of any specific solution. Instead, the document serves as a professional and analytical basis for further discussions, future planning activities and the possible gradual development of sustainable mobility solutions in Labin.

By analysing different technical and spatial possibilities, the study represents one of the first concrete steps towards long-term consideration of better connectivity between Podlabin and the Old Town.

Through the combination of sustainable mobility, contemporary urban planning, energy innovation and cultural heritage preservation, the project opens a broader discussion on the future development of public space and mobility in Labin, adapted to the needs of residents and visitors alike.