LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR TBILISI ... - LED

3.5.2. Spatial structure
Such immanent feature of Tbilisi spatial development as linear was naturally reflected in
the configuration of its centre. Logical Urban researches held yet in the Soviet period,
proved that entire city centre of Tbilisi is developing linear along the river Mtkvari gorge.
Localization of city forming objects and mental maps of Tbilisi residents make this fact
evident.
Central structures expose general trends of development upper of the river Mtkvari;
Although lately, the desire of allocating city forming objects within “Old Tbilisi” and in the
direction of the flow of Mtkvari has been emphasizing. Thus, Tbilisi common city center
territorially expands from the Freedom square in two directions.
First and basic, on the right embankment of the river Mtkvari implies Rustaveli Avenue,
acquires several branches at the Philharmonic buildings in the direction of Merab Kostava
and Melikishvili streets, moving into the Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, Konstantine
Gamsakhurdia street and Vazha-Phshavela Avenue. Simultaneously center forming
functions of David the builder and Akaki Tsereteli Avenues are being developed.
The second direction of the city develops from the Freedom Square including the old city
and, then in the directions of Avlabari-Isani and Ortachala with linear branches.
Thus, the features of the Tbilisi common city center are:
• Linear and dynamic character;
• Expansion of the linear structures on behalf of the streets;
• Poor withy functional-planning links between the parallel central axises;
• Increasingly emphasized importance of the old city;
• Dispersive development of the city forming objects.
Such features of the Tbilisi centre makes difficult identification of the centre core.
More simple is pointing out the transit and commercial corridors. Tbilisi located in the
TRACECA corridor is forced to let pass international cargo flows via its embankment,
because of the damaged condition of the Tbilisi sea beyond road. These embankments,
essentially, are the only draught highways on the whole territory of Tbilisi. For now the
issue on cutting Kakheti highway till Avchala is being worked out, what will immensely
unload the city centre.
Coming out of the specific location of the Tbilisi relief (differences between the heights of
the river Mtkvari shores) widthy links are more complicated. The railway line within the city
creates the same problem; overcoming of the railway line for the aboveground transport is
possible only in two places, with making distance of 5 kilometres between them.
Implementation of viaduct in the direction of Didube-Nadzaladevi accounted in general
plan is far from realizing.
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