engleski

Analysis of Urban Open Spaces as an Input for the Development of Green Infrastructure

The balanced relationship of built and open urban spaces and their connectivity to the surrounding landscapes of the broader regional area is a key element for achieving urban and regional sustainability. Differences and similarities between green infrastructure are linked to different natural and social conditions in which they developed through history. If a town is a component of the overall landscape, then its historical development and its traditional relationship to the surrounding area (rural or natural) can point to valuable potential for future development. Thus, analysis of social, ecological and morphological/structural values (past and present) were used as a method of exploration in this study. Research into Mediterranean towns on the Croatian coast highlighted interesting and valuable inf ormation ‘hidden’ within the town– landscape relationship. As such, they can be easily erased during development. Some of this information is connected to the area's ancient heritage. For example, the old roman division of agricultural land is still visible within the city structure and surrounding area and can be the backbone for a future green infrastructure network. Research also shows that past human habits were connected to the preservation of very valuable green areas inside the town today. A good example is the woodland zone near the ancient town of Zadar, historically used as a picnic area. This led to its incorporation inside the regulation plan of the Italian government prior to the Second World War. Even though this plan was never implemented, it obviously lead to its preservation in today's urban structure. Such inputs, derived from analysis of social functions, are crucial for urban and regional sustainable development and the preservation of our material or non-material heritage. Research also shows that information can be hidden in some layers of historical urban development – for example, water is canalised beneath certain urban structures, which today creates potential for its restoration. In this way, structural and ecological analysis of different historical periods helps us determine the water's character through history. This generated information for the restoration of riparian landscapes as a sustainable element in urban green infrastructure.

green infrastructure; landscape

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