The quantity and condition of urban greenery directly affect the quality of life of residents and space users. This quality is linked to measures that reduce the negative impact of climate change. It was assumed that urban greenery should not only be protected but also should have its stock increased, which is not easy in a historical, compact structure under statutory conservation. This paper discusses the issue of green areas in the strict city centre of Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. The study area includes two medieval towns that had their town charters issued in the 13th and 14th centuries, which together formed a central town and a satellite town. Kazimierz and Stradom were subjected to a detailed investigation. A review of the literature and other sources made it possible to identify changes in the structure of green spaces in terms of chronology and quantity. Changes in the area, accessibility and the legal provisions arising from the various forms of statutory conservation and their consequences were analysed. Multi-criteria analyses of the historical urban structure and the types, forms and potential for introducing greenery into the historical area were also performed. The intention was to strengthen green infrastructure, which is a key element in climate change mitigation.

The objective of this paper is to present greenery design processes in publicly accessible heritage areas. This subject concerns sites under conservation via monument protection forms and new sites built in areas protected by provisions for urban complexes. Cases from Krakow, a city considered a monument by UNESCO, were analyzed. The temporal scope of the study was the last twenty-two years. The study was based on an investigation of the literature and analytical methods. The findings produced a review of design activity, as well as controversial and divisive matters. The discussion and conclusions feature an assessment of the activity investigated, which served to supplement general guidelines for the conservation approach model under current legal, environmental and social conditions. Design standards were also discussed.

In park and garden design, one of the more valued assets of the natural environment is water. Perceived as the source of life, it has always constituted an essential element of garden compositions, one that is both impressive and symbolic. In subsequent historical periods, designers expanded the possibilities of using water in garden layouts and since the nineteenth century waterfront areas have been an important element of shaping systems of urban parks. The article features a characterisation of the participation of water and waterfront areas in Krakow’s gardens and areas of public greenery. The matter of both waterway systems that order the structure of the city, anthropogenic or natural pools, as well as details decorating park spaces were discussed. One of the most essential elements that have crystallised Krakow’s urban layout are so-called river parks. The presence of rivers in the city significantly improves its visual attractiveness. Natural points, sequences of views and exposed places are highly distinct, in addition to an attractive waterfront landscape with outstanding landmarks. This is confirmed by historical panoramas and contemporary conceptual proposals of walking areas and boulevards. River parks, which are linear, show highly diverse landscapes, the separate tradition of places, their own identities, including natural identities—not limited to the Vistula River valley—as the Vistula is the main river. Natural and artificial bodies of water and their accompanying recreational areas, e.g. Zakrzówek, Bagry or Przylasek Rusiecki, have a significant share in shaping Krakow’s areas of greenery. Water is also present in Krakow’s gardens and parks. Its visual qualities, the charm of shimmering light, reflections and the dynamism of, among other things, water jets on a smooth water surface, as well as its sound have all found their use. In gardens or manorial or palatial parks it often constituted an essential compositional element, e.g. in the garden of Łobzów, the parks of Dębniki or Prokocim. It did not survive in any of them. Later on it also became an important part of the programme of public parks, with pools or ponds located, among other places, in Planty Park and Park Jordana. To this day it brings joy and refreshment to its users in the form of representative fountains and water jets. In the article it was presented just how diverse functions does water play in the composing of Krakow’s areas of greenery—from the detail to the planning of its urban structure. The fact that, particularly recently, a frontal turn has been made towards the Vistula, as there were voices that the city had its back turned to it. At present, public areas that are open towards the water are being designed. Designs of waterfront areas that have recently been completed in Krakow and which constitute a result of competitions, were shown as well. These include the parks in Zakrzówek or near Płaszów lake. This proves that water still remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration and its accessibility in areas of public greenery attracts large amounts of users.

STRESZCZENIE W artykule przedstawiono zespół pałacowo-parkowy w Kościelcu, obecnie dzielnicy Chrzanowa, i składające się na jego genius loci wartości materialne i niematerialne, w tym różne formy sacrum tu występujące. Omówiono opracowane dla obiektu studia historyczno-krajobrazowe oraz projekt rewaloryzacji parku pałacowego, który stał się przestrzenią publiczną. Materiały kartograficzne pozwoliły w części odtworzyć historyczny układ komunikacji i wnętrz parkowych. Wobec bardzo skromnej ikonografii i materiałów źródłowych zastosowano studia porównawcze, wykorzystano też ówczesne poradniki zakładania ogrodów. Rozważano też potencjalne zagrożenia parku i sfery sacrum w sytuacji przekształceń i zmian funkcji.

Istotną cechą krakowskiego krajobrazu są historyczne tereny zieleni urządzonej. Każdy zna Planty czy park Jordana, ale są i inne ogrody, parki, zieleńce, zielone place i ulice, wszystkie współtworzą system terenów zieleni miejskiej. Celem artykułu jest pokazanie przydatności badań archiwalnych podejmowanych w projektowaniu architektoniczno- krajobrazowym dla terenów zieleni o zabytkowym charakterze. W pracy wykorzystano kwerendy archiwalne, studia literaturowe, prace terenowe oraz analizę faktograficzną, metody historyczno-interpretacyjne i studia porównawcze. Przedstawiono tok postępowania konserwatorskiego w podejmowaniu rekonstrukcji zabytkowych terenów zieleni, w którym badanie archiwaliów stanowi ważny element pracy projektanta. Zaprezentowano różne skale planowania i projektowania oraz formy zieleni, przede wszystkim z Krakowa i okolicy. Na ich przykładzie pokazano źródła archiwalne (m.in. mapy, projekty, fotografie, źródła pisane), które są wykorzystywane bezpośrednio lub pośrednio w projektach rekonstrukcji czy rewaloryzacji obiektów sztuki ogrodowej. Omówiono, na przykładach, wybrane kwestie związane z kartografią, szczególnie katastrem galicyjskim. Pokazano ogrody rozrywkowe, parki i ogrody śródblokowe, detale roślinne i architektoniczne, plany regulacyjne oraz omówiono zagadnienia zieleni w kontekście panoram i widoków. Na zakończenie podkreślono znaczenie gromadzenia różnego rodzaju materiałów źródłowych do odtwarzania komponowanej zieleni stanowiącej integralną część krajobrazu kulturowego.