• size and shape of the city’s territory and structure of residential areas;
• possibility of connecting river parks with the system of protected landscape surrounding the city;
• existing unbuilt areas along the Vistula River and its tributaries within city boundaries;
• possibility to combine the river parks project with the flood protection programme with beneficial effects for the economic development of areas along the river and boating.

A structure plan should be developed to co-ordinate the programme that would necessarily comprise many stages, similar to those developed for special economic zones. The river parks would need an appropriate legal protection to guarantee their status. As a result, the river parks would become a complex system of water and green areas, stimulating the city’s harmonious growth.
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• Flood control. Its importance has been generally acknowledged. In this context, the benefits of the open landscape of the Odra valley cannot be overestimated: it is possible to create large retention areas and retain foold water within the valley to protect densely populated areas.
• Pollution control and water retention for consumption and industrial purposes. This is the second most important goal, requiring large investemnts (municipal, industrial and household sewage treatment plants) and a creative planning vision.
• Development and promotion of the recreational and tourist potential of the Odra valley. This direction is considered very attractive by local authorities and residents but requires considerable investement to became reality.
• Environmental protection. Within the Odra valley, also outside Poland, there are 56 regions (occupying 2000 hectares) of very high natural value. Together with other areas, they form the North-South ecological corridor, second only to that of the Vistula river.
• Navigation and power industry. There has been a general agreement about the continued use of the Odra for navigation, roviding that the development of water transport respects the river’s hydrogeological conditions. The need to promote the “white fleet”, as less harmful to the environment, has been emphasised.

Thus, the priorities are clear and generally accepted but so far there is no comprehensive vision of the development of the Oder and its valley. Who will present it?
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• Rainwater – connection between Heaven and Earth
• Ground water – mystery of depth
• Flowing water – expression of movement
• Stagnant water – magic of the mirror.

The author focuses on how water, in its various aspects, permeates and connects all landscape elements. The relationship between architecture of buildings and topographic features on the one hand and water drainage or collection on the other is discussed in various climatic zones. The influence of ground water on plants and landscape architecture is analysed. Referring to the gardens at Versailles, Kassel and Peterhof, the author shows the complexity and ingenuity of some systems built to supply water. Finally, the aesthetic and symbolic role of the pond, as associated with the mirror, is discussed in European parks (Versailles) and Chinese gardens.
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