PROBLEMS
Landscape of Riverside Towns
Krajobraz miast nadrzecznych
Wojciech Kosiński
SUMMARY
The author discusses the relationship between the river and townscape in the context of management studies, spatial and urban planning and architecture. The focus is on the town's location and layout in relation to the river. The author points to the existence of the “Great Divide” between the eastern and western European civilisations, located approximately between the drainage basins of the Odra and Vistula rivers, dividing Poland into two basic zones with respect to urban planning. Over the centuries, it has influenced the foundation and layout of towns and remains a factor in their current situation. In the western zone, that is in the Odra basin, the layout of towns reflects the centuries of German influence, with some Austrian, Bohemian and Hungarian flavour. As a rule, the river has been carefully arranged and integrated into the townscape (Wrocław, Opole, Koźle, Kłodzko, Bystrzyca, Lądek). In the east, rivers have been generally neglected but the configuration of land, with towns elevated on high escarpments, contributes the picturesque quality to the panorama (Wawel in Kraków, Sandomierz, Płock). Four basic types of the town-river relationship are discussed: a big city on a big river; a large city on a small river; a small town on a big river, and a small town on a small river. The case study of Janowiec, a small town on the Vistula river, historic but poor, is discussed. Local traditions defining the layout and architecture of towns in the context of their riverside location are an important component of native culture and national identity and are particularly relevant as Poland prepares to join the EU. The author advocates interdisciplinary co-operation between urban planners, architects, engineers, and landscape architects.
River Parks in Cracow
Parki rzeczne w krajobrazie Krakowa
Aleksander Böhm
SUMMARY
In 1996-1997 on the initiative of the Municipal Office of the City of Kraków the Institute of Landscape Architecture of Cracow University of Technology developed a conception for shaping the city’s environmental system in accordance with current needs and conditions. The project’s underlying idea is to use the hydrographical network as the basis for laying out new green areas called river parks. There are four basic arguments for adopting this approach:
- 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.
Nowa Sól Seen from the Riverside
Krajobraz Nowej Soli widziany od Odry
Marta Skiba
SUMMARY
The new law Programme for the Odra River’2006 stipulates turning the cities and towns to face the river and introducing spatial order along the Odra valley. The main objectives are to preserve the continuity of ecological corridors and organise the landscape along the embankments while improving preventive flood control and creating conditions for sustainable development. These objectives have been considered in the plans for extending and modernising the system of embankments and flood control for the town of Nowa Sól. The embankment is to be developed into a boulevard and natural river landscapes with their typical ecosystems are to be recreated. There are plans for the modernisation of the historic port and improvement of navigability.
The Odra Valley: Problems of Sustainable Development
Dolina Odry - problemy zrównoważonego rozwoju
Krzysztof Świerkosz
SUMMARY
The Odra is the second largest river in Poland. The same applies to its basin. It is also one of major European rivers. For over 50 years related research programmes have focused on the economic aspects and pollution. Only recently new perspectives have been developed, emphasising the river’s recreational potential and environmental protection. The new approach, integrating flood control with pollution control and environmental protection, has been empasised to foster sustainable growth in the river valley. At present, the principal objectives are:
- 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?
Architectural Objects Connected with Water
Formy architektoniczne towarzyszące wodzie
Zuzanna Borcz
SUMMARY
Water in landscape has existed in many forms, in the context of various architectural and engineering structures, contributing not only a utilitarian but also an aesthetic value. The author discusses selected examples of small architecture related to water found in parks and gardens. Historic timber structures, like water-mills and sweeps, are also presented. No longer serving their original purpose, some water-mills have been preserved in skansens or adapted to other functions. Springs and wells have been a constant feature of human activity, supplying water for the population, adorning parks and gardens. Some springs have been regarded as sacred. Spas have been founded to benefit from medicinal springs. Interesting structures connected with water are fountains, embellishing town squares and parks. The forms have changed over time, reflecting contemporaneous styles in architecture and sculpture. Small bridges and foot-bridges found in parks and rural areas often enhance the landscape's natural beauty.
Springs and Wells in the Cultural Landscape of Warsaw
Źródła i studnie wody pitnej w krajobrazie kulturowym Warszawy
Janusz Skalski
SUMMARY
A number of historic wells and springs from which drinking water was drawn until the mid-20th century have survived in Warsaw. The development of the municipal waterpipe network at the end of the 19th century made them obsolete, resulting in their gradual transformation into monuments of material culture. The wells in which the mechanism for drawing water was destroyed have became “dead” architectural objects and are no longer perceived as springs. Their architecture and treatment of details are often very elaborate. The systematic decline of the quality of drinking water drawn from the Vistula River has resulted in the necessity to give the public an access to strategic deep wells and to drill new ones. The new wells, built very fast in order to deliver good quality drinking water to the population, are purely utilitarian structures lacking the architectural splendour typical of their historic counterparts. The activity of drawing drinking water from the well has become a social phenomenon in Warsaw. This can be perceived as a positive process as it creates and strengthens community ties so precious in a modern city. This process should be facilitated by thoughtful design of wells as public places to provide an attractive architectural framework for drawing drinking water. The new and historic wells should create a legible sequence of beautiful places, enhancing the city. Because of their special importance to communal life and public health these structures should be treated as the “holy graves” within the
city's urban structure.
Water in the Rural Landscape
Woda w krajobrazie wsi
Irena Nieźwiecka-Filipiak
SUMMARY
For centuries, surface water in various forms was an important feature of rural landscape. Villages were founded along streams, sometimes in the vicinity of reservoirs. In many villages there were large ponds or even systems of ponds, serving various functions and oftentimes connected with watercourses. Water-mills, with their streams and ponds, were a common and characteristic feature. Today, ponds have largely lost their practical function. Some serve as water tanks for fire-fighting purposes, others have fallen into disrepair, polluted and overgrown with weeds. Research has shown that over the last two decades the area occupied by standing water reservoirs has diminished considerably in most Lower Silesian villages. However, there are also positive tendencies. Garden owners are increasingly fond of pools, ponds, fountains, cascades and springs. In some villages efforts have been undertaken to save he old ponds with their unique ambience.
PRESENTATIONS
The Fountain in Town Square in Wrocław
Fontanna na wrocławskim rynku
Alojzy Gryt
SUMMARY
The competition for the design and execution of a fountain in the western section of Town Square (Rynek) in Wrocław was announced in 1996. From the submitted 35 designs, the proposal presented by the team of Alojzy Gryt, Marcin Gryt and Beata Gryt-Tomaszewska, has been selected. The winning design's underlying idea has been to integrate the present with the past and the future, to satisfy modern needs and define meaningful relations between tradition and the time to come.
TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS
Water and Modern Buildings
Woda w sąsiedztwie nowoczesnych budynków
Marcin Brzezicki
SUMMARY
In the article problems of saving precious drinking water and rational management of rainwater are discussed. Rainwater can be used safely instead of drinking water for washing, toilet flushing and watering plants. The author focuses on joined efforts of urban planners and landscape architects in order to increase the areas of retention within the boundaries of planned developments as it reduces the volume of sewage and keeps the water table intact. In the article's second part, solutions for controlling the microclimate in cities and individual buildings are presented, employed in experimental and standard buildings.
MATERIALS
Water and the Art of Gardens
Woda w sztuce ogrodów
Alina Drapella-Hermansdorfer
SUMMARY
The art of garden design has always combined practical and symbolic aspects. The present article focuses on the relation between beauty and function with regard to water management. Four aspects are discussed, exemplified by historic gardens:
- 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.
Hydrangea
Hortensja
Jerzy Sporek
STANDARDS
Water Reflection
Wodna refleksja
Oleg Mycak
SUMMARY
The author explains how to employ the effects of reflection on water surface in accordance with optical laws. In recent years the fashion for fitting gardens with ponds, pools and puddles of various shape and size has stimulated a growing market for related services and equipment. In addition to technical information, potential clients need some information on how to lay out a pond or pool in their garden in order to use the reflected image created on water surface to the best aesthetic effect.
Swimming Ponds: Close to Nature
Stawy kąpielowe - formy bliskie naturze
Przemysław Wolski
Marcin Gąsiorowski
Wojciech Walczak
SUMMARY
Water in a swimming pond is purified through natural processes of self-cleaning so there is no need to use chemicals necessary to maintain traditional swimming pools. It is safe for humans and the environment, combining the benefits of a swimming pool and a garden pond. It may be used in private gardens and public recreational facilities. Its construction and maintenance is usually much cheaper and it blends harmoniously into the natural landscape. In this context, the authors discuss the basics of construction and maintenance of swimming ponds, selection of water plants, and relevant legal aspects.
"Small" Retention from a Different Perspective
Mała retencja inaczej
Jerzy Sporek
SUMMARY
With the growth of built-up areas, the volume of rainwater being discharged to the sewage system or directly to a river and intensity of drainage increase proportionately, making additional flood-control reservoirs or higher and stronger embankments necessary. The present article focuses on the benefits of retention, in both open and urban areas.
FORUM
Studied: general of targeted
Studia: ogólne czy ukierunkowane
Jerzy Sporek
ELASA 2001
ELASA 2001
Urszula Szachowicz
Prof. arch. Władysław Niemirski
Prof. arch. Władysław Niemirski
Przemysław Wolski
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