In this article the author discusses the historic landscape park located around the palace in Smuszewo (Wielkopolskie Province) dating back to the 2nd half of the 19th century. Making reference to historic research regarding the estate, analyses of the park composition and its current condition and problems encountered during the process of designing. Additionally design solutions which will allow for the facility revitalization are presented.

The Zamoyski Entail was the 4th entail to be created in the lands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Its establishment is associated with Jan Zamoyski, Chancellor and Grand Crown Hetman. The Zamoyski family became the owners of the estates through its inheritance and purchase. They also erected their own residences, surrounded by park complexes. For example Klemensów founded by the 7th entailer Tomasz Zamoyski, Różanka on the Bug River with the no longer existent palace or the palace and park in Adampol, which currently houses a tuberculosis hospital. The purpose of the presented article is to present representative buildings of palace and park complexes of the entail as well as their spatial transformations especially resulting from defragmentation of garden complexes during the agrarian reform and the transition period. The research also analyses changes in ownership of palace and park complexes and their evolving functions. The article also attempts to describe the greatest threats, along with their characteristics and impact on the historic gardens belonging to the former Zamoyski Entail.

Invasive species are alien elements of flora and fauna to our environment, in each case their occurrence is a very serious threat to native organisms. Invasive insects damage trees of great significance in park sites. They face very little resistance from the environment and substantially affect the decorative character of plants. A well-known representative of the group of phytophages is Cameraria ohridella or Horse-chestnut leaf miner occurring on horse-chestnut. Recently, Phyllonorycter issikii was observed on lime trees, P. robiniella on Black Locust and P. platani on plane trees in the historical parks of the city of Rzeszów and its surrounding. Newly identified in Rzeszow and potentially dangerous pest of plane trees is also Corythucha ciliata, an insect in the Coreidae family. Another risk for trees and shrubs may be the Western conifer seed bug Leptoglossus occidentalis, which is more and more frequently observed in different parts of Rzeszów.

In this paper, the comparison of former and contemporary threats to the value of historic gardens has been carried out. The analysis was based upon the publication of Majdecki, dating back to the 80s and 90s of the 20th c., being treated as a reference to the currently observed negative practices. In this article, verification of the earlier classification of phenomena, constituting a threat to the historic gardens, was suggested. Observations by the authors and scientific publications from the recent ten years have been adopted as the basis for conclusions and syntheses.

This paper discusses the industrial housing estates in Chrzanów, situated between two metropolitan areas, the cities of Katowice and Kraków. The location of the town, affected by the vicinity of those cities, is strategic in view of the development prospects of the two regions. Consequently, it seems to be important to examine the Chrzanów housing estates, with their heritage, and the possibilities of further use. The capabilities of the estates have not been used in full, and the local green areas are gradually losing their original composition. This paper concentrates on the public space of the housing estates located in Chrzanów, designed in the spirit of the Garden City concept, paying attention to the heritage of the pre-war estates, their distinct urban plans, and green area compositions, as well as the accompanying social programmes. The idea of building housing estates for workers was a response to deteriorating housing conditions and the overpopulation of towns. The housing complexes designed for factory workers were developed in Chrzanów under the influence of the Garden City concept on a small scale, in the form of compact housing estates based in specific residential, functional, and social programmes. The two housing estates described here originated in the interwar period. They are the “Stella” Estate of the Chrzanów Refractory Material Factory and the “Fablok” Estate of the Locomotive Factory. The represented factories no longer operate on the previous scale, and that is why it is necessary to assure comprehensive revitalization projects for those housing estates.

Botanical gardens have functioned as museum facilities for generations, but this model is slowly being abandoned. Increasingly, they are becoming vibrant social centres (especially in the United States and Western European countries). Does the increase in the social role of botanical gardens present an opportunity or a threat to their development? Examples of gardens such as the Eden Project or San Francisco Botanical Garden show that the new concept of botanical gardens can bring many social and even economic benefits.

The aim of this essay analyses the historical and the modern status of the monastic garden of St. Adalbert Monastery in Staniątki (southern Poland) as well as provide a description of the most important threats of the area. The origins of the garden can be traced back to XIII and is a very interesting example of a utilitarian and decorative garden. It has a very long cultural, sacral and educational tradition and its significance is well known. Nowadays it is exposed to the increasing risk of destroying its historical value, wrong choice of plants, lack of gardeners. All this threats partly arise from the lack of funds for revalorization of the garden.

This paper presents the changes that occurred in Stefan Żeromski park in Szczecin after World War II until present. The history of which is characterized by the contemporary state of woodlots and the other offerings of the park. Indicated on the causes of these changes, specified courses of action should be made to allow the development of the potential of the park so it may be fully exploited. It was noted that the protection of historic parks, as set out in the Florence Charter, does not interfere with the ability to adapt the program to the expectations of the modern user.

The Mieroszewski Palace and Park Complex is located in the district of Gzichów in Będzin, a city in the region of the Dąbrowa Basin (the Silesia Province). It is a place of unique architectural value. The design concept results from a thorough examination of the area of the complex followed by a deep research into the history of its architectural features. It takes into account the current needs of the place whilst maintaining respect towards its history. The solutions presented in the project are intended to improve the esthetic value of the complex and make it more attractive for the citizens of Będzin as well as its visitors.

Threats to historical parks have various origins. There are three main types regarding their kind and scale: internal threats resulting from outside conditions of a given park facility, internal ones related directly to the area occupied by the garden and general threats. Nowadays an adverse tendency of realization of quite frivolous modernization activities in historic parks is clearly noticeable. It leads to the degradation of specific park forms, and at the same time it leads to an introduction of new, often stylistically alien, forms. Restoration works require an individual approach as each park has its own characteristic features, independent from the features typical for the particular epoch – the features that were determined both by regional specifics and by the designers of the most important elements of its spatial makeup. Identification of threats is an important element in development of the appropriate methods for protection of historic gardens.

The 21st century has brought new opportunities for revitalization projects in Poland (including those related to historical parks and gardens) under the framework of EU subsidies. Greenery compositions, often significantly damaged and with poorly preserved historical structure, have gained a chance to survive and be properly managed. However, the problem is that design and construction works are often conducted in haste, and adapted to the specific requirements of EU projects, often resulting in the unification of adopted solutions and incongruence with historical structures (e.g. “Orlik” sports fields or “Radosna szkoła” playgrounds, where even the colour scheme is imposed by the project), which obviously causes irreparable damage. The authors wish to present the above mentioned problems illustrated with an example of the revalorisation process of a park in Chociw, one of the valuable manor-park complexes in the Łódź Province. They present both positive and negative influence which financial support might have on a venture of this kind.

Stefan Celichowski is one of the most prominent planners of the early 20th century who created nearly 250 projects including palaces, manors and public parks in the naturalistic style with all its distinguished features. Design, composition, richness and diversity of floral elements is the central attribute of his gardens design. The idea of creating the Palace Park in Osmolice comes at the peak of Celichowski’s creativity. The project was established in 1909 for the Stadniccy family. Post-war times brought further owners to the estate and its commercial functions. Inappropriate custody has caused transformations to the compositional structure. Currently work on the garden concept is directed towards protection and restoration of this incredible place.

The paper is an continuation of author’s reflections about the historical parks in Wrocław, which beauty is in danger of loss due to man’s activities. The focus of the paper is on the very controversial issue of recent years – building the inner city ring road in Wrocław. The planned location of the ring road crosses Szczytnicki Park – one of the oldest historical parks in the city. The project included the location of a four-lane street on the edge of the park and crossing far coherent historical urban complex (the components of this complex are remarkable modernistic building such as: UNESCO WHO Heritage site – Centennial Hall, Zoological Garden, WUWA Exhibition Area, Olimpic Stadium and housing estates Sępolno and Biskupin) generates multifaceted social conflicts.

This article presents results of studies conducted in three historic parks of Greater Poland. The aim of the research was to analyze changes in the original composition of those objects and to identify the causes of its destruction. The selected parks are of baroque origin but due to changes in garden art trends they were transformed into establishments of landscape character. The analyzed residential – park complexes are characterized by a varying degree of destruction to their original spatial arrangement. The conductedanalyses made it possible to identify what factors were destructive to the composition of the chosen objects and to determine further threats.

Trees growing on heritage terrains or in the vicinity of natural landmarks can be subject to hazard and also they themselves can become a hazard to people and their property. Nevertheless, considering the trees’ high environmental and heritage values the decision of their removal should be a measure of finality. A major role in preserving hazardous trees with simultaneous improvement of the safety of users is conducted by risk management preservation planning. This paper aims to outline the steps for minimizing the safety risks and the steps for preserving hazardous trees. It further explains how these measures can be used in management of large clusters of trees on heritage terrains, and presents advantages and disadvantages of the WID method by PhD. Rosłon-Szeryńska (2006) in routine tree management.

Many palace and manor – garden ensembles, which were taken over in 1949 by state farms on the area of West Pomerania were devastated and destroyed. Unfortunately, changes of the space management conditions, which occurred after 1989, created new chances of development as well as new threats for monuments. The most important threat was the loss of monumental objects, and protection, even that which was in contradiction to original destination.

This paper covers the origins and analysis of furniture with special emphasis on outdoor facilities. The problems include issues related to the concept of matching with the existing space, with a specific character and items of equipment and furniture. Also discussed is an overview of selected solutions.

The city of Bielsko-Biała is characterised by a rich architectural substance from the late 19th and early 20th century, significantly influencing its current image. In parallel with the then emerging facilities that were associated mainly with industrial development, cultivated green areas were arranged. Despite plans from the end of the 19th century to create a system based on parks, inner lawns, residential gardens and a treed promenade along the river Biała, the present look of the cultivated greenery of Bielsko-Biała is of a mosaic character. Existing and functioning facilities are at risk of many factors leading to their degradation at various grades. This dissertation focuses on the threats to the municipal parks of Bielsko from the end of the 19th century and early 20th century.

This paper presents examples of the risks identified in relation to the historical greenery and program of rescue – repair treatments used for endangered trees and the effects of its implementation.

The values which dictate whether a historic park is listed as a heritage site, and which justify the need for statutory protection, are its historical, artistic and scientific values. The lack of public understanding and respect for these values, and the failure to perceive historic parks as works of garden art, and not merely as biologically active areas used primarily as recreation sites, poses many serious threats to this group of heritage sites.

This article addresses issues regarding the protection of the landscape-nature complex in Lipno, which is a remnant of the former deerpark belonging to the princes of Niemodlin. Presented here are both the changes taking place in this specific garden complex, as well as the present state. Also included are the current natural and cultural dangers affecting further changes taking place in it.

The historic estate in Morasko has been the subject of transformation for years. Both owners as well as functions have been changing. New plots, existing after estate plot dismemberment, were covered with new buildings, which dominated both the manor and palace and changed the historic spatial design as well. The aims of the study were: to identify the threats rising from plot dismemberment and ownership changes, to determine the scale of historic value destruction and to determine the revalorization possibility. The achievement of those goals was possible after research and analytical methods were used. The applied methods allowed for the creation of scientific analysis and 3D models. Despite the fact that Morasko estate historic value is remarkably destroyed it is still suitable for partial restitution.

The Edwardowo estate in the city of Poznan suffers from intense anthropopressure. Once calm and situated on the city’s outskirts, the estate is surrounded with establishments which interfere with its integrity nowadays. The aims of the paper were: to identify the threats rising from progressing urbanization, to determine a scale of historic value destruction and to make revalorization recommendations. The achievement of those aims was possible after analytical methods were used. The applied methods allowed for the creation of scientific analysis and 3D models. Despite the fact that the historic value of the Edwardowo estate is under threat, it is suitable for restitution.

The aim of this paper is to present and characterize the factors that pose a threat to historic cemetery objects. Taking into consideration the problems associated with historic parks and gardens. Attention must be paid to the cemeteries, which even though being classified as green areas, are rarely perceived in this way. This problem especially affects necropolises which are located in cities, surrounded by dense urban structure and situated near buildings and public spaces.

1628 saw the arrival of Franciscans who built a monastery, and created gardens on the remaining part of the land which was given to them. The once historical garden layout underwent strong changes, both on the functional and compositional level. It was mainly the result of the January Uprising which brought about the dissolution of the monastery and changes in the function of the whole complex. In 1928 Franciscans came back to Kazimierz, however, they did not reconstruct the gardens. The reason for this decision might be seen in the shift in the monastery activities, which now had to adapt to the needs of the new society. 20th-century Franciscans started to add new functions to the existing space, according to the current needs. In consequence, there are now only fragments left of the garden composition which still existed in the 19th century.

To introduce a contemporary function into a historic park, needs both the skills of modern architecture and the knowledge of historical monuments. This has also been employed as a method to eliminate the wear of time from the living park’s deterioration. This new functional building with all its’ facilities and accessible spaces demands and expects the proper behavior from all park visitors. LeFrak Center at Lakeside, at Prospect Park is not the only example of a modern inference in the landmark park. Also, it is the beginning to the process of preservations work recently completed, at Prospect Park. In the article, the author presents the LeFrak Center as a good example of modern, sustainable architecture incorporated into the existing landscape of Prospect Park.

In the article, next to the exemplification of threats historic parks in Łódź, were presented interesting actions and specific initiatives taken by the city and informal social groups for the protection of historic objects of urban green areas.

The article discusses the issues related to threats to historic gardens based on the area located in the vicinity of the former duke Alessander Lubomirski Shelter Foundation at Rakowicka 27, Krakow. The Neo-Renaissance complex was created between 1891 and 1893 according to the design by T. Stryjeński and W. Ekielski selected during a contest. When created, it stood out from the landscape, while its monumental form determined the identity of the place. The complex underwent various changes and transformations, which brought about certain threats. The said changes were related to ownership, proprietor and users. Gardens were not always taken care of and as components threatened with transformations and development, they ceased to form integral part of the complex. Greenery lost its aesthetic values and became a collection of random plants, while the composition became less transparent. Some evergreen plants obscured the elevation of the former shelter. The article discusses a project regarding restoration of greenery by the complex currently housing the Cracow University of Economics.