Search

The paper presents the results of a comparative study of the land system of the city square and adjacent buildings for Rzeszów in Poland. The study made use of a cadastral map at a scale of 1:2880 and a modern land and building record map. For the purpose of adjusting reference systems, the cadastral map recorded in the form of a digital raster image, in accordance with applicable provisions of polish law (Journal of Laws No. 263 §49), was subjected to a two-stage calibration. The first stage consisted in carrying out initial calibration with the employment of first-degree affine transformation. In the second stage, final calibration was performed using mathematical transformation that considered the distortions detected in the previous stage. The results showed shifts, consolidations, and divisions of land parcels with regard to the present state, and changes to property structure. The proposed method may prove useful for further research on historical urban system morphology, and on restoration and renewal of the urban tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to carry out the financial feasibility analysis of harvesting rainwater from permeable pavements in a city square. A case study was carried out in a square close to the beach in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil. Questionnaires were applied to pedestrians who circulate within the area. The square is to be implemented to promote sustainability and improve the user's quality of life. From the rainfall data and the average daily water demand for irrigation of the square vegetation, the volume of rainwater to be harvested from the permeable pavement was calculated. The rainwater demand was estimated as 662 L/day. The implementation and operation costs of the pavement and irrigation systems were evaluated. The potential for potable water savings was 89.8%. The payback period was estimated as 347 months. This study showed that rainwater collected from permeable pavements is financially feasible and represents a promising technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

City squares are an important part of urban public spaces and play an important role in improving the quality of urban landscapes. For mountain cities, city squares with mountainous characteristics formed by its special geographical environment, which have more identifiability and uniqueness than that in plain cities, have greater influence on the promotion of city image. Their unique regional cultural characteristics and local customs and practices have shaped the totally different temperament of mountain cities. Based on the dialectical relationship between the square, the landscape and the culture, this paper took Shiyan Broadcasting Media Center Square for example to explore the ideas of landscape design in mountain cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A square is one of the elements of a city's morphological structure. The balance between its volume and space, as well as its social content are the topics that are often discussed by professionals of urban design. In addition to being an element of spatial structure, a city square also performs social functions (it provides a space for festive gatherings, commemorations, public get-togethers, shortterm public recreation, socialisation, etc.). The term "public space" basically refers to the functional aspect, while the term "square" primarily denotes geometrical parameters. The current paper presents some insights into the aspect of urban design of squares treating it as a composition of volume and space with a social function. It sets the criteria for the formation of a square on the basis of the earlier studies of squares (as structural elements) found in professional literature, while focusing on the principles of formation of urban space (a search for concrete compositional and structural solutions). These criteria constitute the basis for a comparative analysis of squares (in central parts of cities rather than old towns) in the context of the common European cultural framework. The paper aims to find out if today, 25 years after the restoration of independence in Lithuania, these squares need to be transformed or merely adjusted (improved). This question, like the issue of status (both physical and social), which still has not been established in some Baltic cities and states, is frequently raised at various levels (professional, political and social). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political, social, economic, aesthetic and other aspects led to start of reconstruction and renovation of important public spaces - squares - of the most cities of the country. This article aims to review some of the rebuilt city squares and give a preliminary assessment of this reconstruction experience. Estimation of selected squares has been made in the following aspects: the purpose of the square, its design, equipment, greenery and vitality. It was found that in accordance to the reconstruction character, they can be conditionally divided into two groups: 1) squares, the design and regulation of which correspond to the purpose to be visited and used by people for leisure and communication; and 2) squares, the priority of reconstruction of which was a formal design, without a broader research and needs assessment, so they ended up little visited and empty. Seeking for better quality of reconstructed squares, it is necessary to better discuss these questions, initiate public fora with residents and specialists, and conduct professional expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]