Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2012, 60(8), 281-298 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun201260080281

Means of landscape architecture in the urban public space of Rome, Paris and Prague

Lucie Poláčková

Ústav zahradní a krajinářské architektury, Mendelova univerzita v Brně, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic

The aim of the research was to identify the role of landscape architecture means in the creation of urban public spaces as well as the possible ways they can be used in. In this respect, public urban spaces of three European metropolises were explored: Rome, Paris and Prague. These were chosen based on their specific affinity as they are within a broad cultural range of western European civilization. We have specified basic types of urban public spaces as streets, squares, parks, roof terraces and gardens, waterfronts, and "spaces between houses". The basic means of landscape architecture used in urban public spaces are relief and paving, water, artwork, vegetation, furniture, minor constructions and light and time. Spatial and functional performance of the particular components was explored within the particular public spaces. As the functions of compositional principles are universal, their exploration can lead to some generalization. Naturally, the uniqueness of each place, its history and spatial context need to be taken into account. Only an exploration of public spaces in the largest possible scope and searching for mutual, often hidden or indirect parallels will yield new knowledge and understanding. The study has proven that these exist among the three selected European cities and they can serve as a guideline for further designs of public urban spaces.

Keywords: urban public space, landscape architecture means, urban landscape, Paris, Rome, Prague, square, street, park, roof terraces, roof gardens and parks, waterfronts, spaces between houses, relief and paving, water, artwork, furniture, minor constructions, vegetation, light and time

Grants and funding:

The paper was supported by project DF11P01OVV019 "Methods and tools of landscape architecture for territorial development", meeting the topic priority TP 1.4. of the Program of Applied Research and Development of National and Cultural Identity, financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.

Received: September 13, 2012; Published: March 30, 2013  Show citation