Modern Stormwater Solution Helps Redevelop an Abandoned Military Site in Ukmerge

A deserted 20-hectare former army base in Ukmerge, Lithuania, will soon be reborn as a modern recreational, residential and business center thanks to a major reconstruction program. The first phase of the project has already started, aiming to establish an up-to-date underground infrastructure that could support sustainable, long-term development of the area. The Pipelife stormwater retention system allowed expanding the capacity of the site's stormwater management network, which will protect the future community center from flood damage.

_{Second Life to Former Army Barracks}

Due to its strategic location, the Ukmerge district has been used for military purposes since the early 19^th century. However, the former army settlements are abandoned nowadays, leaving a large, unattractive scar in the center of the thriving Ukmerge city.

Thanks to joint funding from the EU, the state government and the Ukmerge municipality, the derelict site is now being repurposed into a modern recreational and business center. The heart of the former military base will be an open-air miniature park, stretching over 1.65 hectares and featuring replicas of the most iconic buildings, landmarks and art installations from across the country. In addition, the area will feature gardens, playgrounds, an outdoor exercise zone, a business park and a modern residential district, revitalizing the Ukmerge city center.

_{Modular Solution Allows Expanding Outdated Stormwater Network}

As a former military area, the site has limited underground infrastructure which is unsuitable for the project's purposes. Therefore, the current networks for drainage, stormwater disposal, water supply and sewage all have to be redesigned and rebuilt.

One of the project's major challenges was preventing the limited-capacity wastewater networks from overflowing during heavy precipitation periods. To achieve this, a new underground stormwater retention system was built, which will largely consist of Pipelife Stormbox E crates and accessories.

The dimensions of the retention system are 19.8 x 8.4 x 1.8 meters, with a net capacity of nearly 300 cubic meters. In total, almost 1400 Stormbox E crates were used, together with all necessary accessories and inspection chambers, to build a massive, six-story underground reservoir.