The port can be divided into two categories; the working port and the passenger port. The working port primarily consists of technical functions with specified efficiencies, excluding a few administrative buildings. The passenger zone on the other hand can have a public scope, place-making qualities and an opportunity to contribute positively to the city’s situation. We would like to incorporate elements from their lost heritage style, create spaces that pay homage to the lost lives, and a memorial for the explosion.
The idea is to incorporate a cultural platform that uses the deformed inland area without flattening it. This aims at showing resilience for the locals, giving them a place to perform and display their art and also allow for periodic fests, which would bring in further tourism, foreign investments and sponsorships.
We wish to respond to the economic and social issues of the city through the port at 3 broad levels. One, the public participatory platform will give the locals a place to display, market and monetize their art or skills. Two, the port will aim at reusing as much material as possible from the blast, reducing construction costs, it will also manage its waste and energy in a manner that allows it to be self-sufficient. Three, it will use the public platform as a tool to attract foreign investments, and the passenger terminal will be designed to enhance tourism.