Conceptual design of the reactivation of the former settlement of young brigadiers in Nižepole (North Macedonia)

Pelister National Park is one of the key landscapes of the Pelagonia region, shaping both tourism and the cultural life of nearby communities. Within this setting, the project focuses on the revitalisation of a former brigadiers’ settlement from the 1980s in the village of Nižepole, originally built to accommodate youth brigadiers working on the construction of the Streževo dam. Today, the site is abandoned, while the village itself faces depopulation, erosion of traditions, and unregulated construction that undermines its identity.

The proposed program introduces a model of tourism that responds to contemporary needs by combining wellness, cultural, and community-oriented activities. Local participation forms an integral part of the program, supporting the revival of cultural identity, the strengthening of traditional practices, and the renewal of characteristic primary-sector activities.

The spatial concept develops new forms of collective and accommodation typologies in the form of modular units, designed as minimal interventions that adapt to the terrain and provide an alternative to mass tourism. It is guided by the need for longer stays in nature and the provision of a more intimate experience of its environment.

The reactivation of the abandoned settlement in Nižepole illustrates how degraded areas can be brought back to life through solutions that respect history and context, promote sustainable tourism, encourage community involvement, and respond to contemporary needs for wellbeing.