Katarzyna Pluta

The paper presents results of the research work concerning connections between the spatial composition of the contemporary solutions of city parks and the spatial structure of cities and their townscape. The scope of the research work includes European cities and other cities in the world, located above all in the temperate climate zone.

The article presents the contemporary spatial transformations of valuable architectural-garden systems and urban parks shaped in the area of Warsaw Escarpment in the district Mokotów in Warsaw: residential complex Królikarnia and Park Arkadia, residential complex Mokotów and Dreszer Park. Contemporary spatial composition of the complexes refers to carefully composed landscape of original projects, which emphasized the most valuable characteristics of the place, but also indicate many spatial transformations of study areas as well as the areas located in the immediate vicinity. These transformations are both positive and negative. Among the positive changes it is necessary to mention contemporary attempts of shaping and use of public spaces in parks and complexes, together with the processes of revalorization of different elements.

The main purposes of the research presented in the article are following: 1) indication of the possibilities of the use of natural and artificial lighting in urban composition and 2) indication of contemporary urban and landscape solutions in cities (mainly public spaces), which are outstanding examples of the use of natural lighting and artificial illumination.

The article presents shaping models of cooperation of the University (The Chair of Urban Design and Rural Landscape of the Faculty of Architecture, Warsaw University of Technology), local government and business – “actors” contributing to townscape of contemporary cities as well as the effects of cooperation. The most important types of cooperation include: organization of architectural and urban student competitions, organization of architectural and urban design workshops for students, organization of scientific study trips in Poland and abroad, participation of the staff of The Chair of Urban Design and Rural Landscape in national and international design workshops, lectures.

The influence of colour on the living environment in cities, including the housing environment is huge, but the role of this factor is too little appreciated in shaping the townscape. The article presents the issue of the role of colour in the composition of the newest urban and landscape design solutions in cities.
The main purposes of the research presented in the article are following: 1) indication of the possibility of the use colour in urban composition and 2) indication of contemporary urban and landscape solutions, which are outstanding examples of the use and application of colour in public spaces of contemporary cities.
The research undertaken has been implemented taking into account the existing state of knowledge and the use of research methods appropriate for morphological research of urban space: 1) method of analysis and criticism of sources (planning documents, literature, projects), 2) observation method (used to assess the existing state), 3) comparative method.

Contemporary dynamic processes of transformation of city form, especially public spaces, contribute to create solutions, which at present belong to future, because of many features: expressive identity, durability and simultaneously functional flexibility. Important component of public spaces is green, which according to principles of sustainable development should be treated in the same way as built environment. According to this assumption there are required various researches concerning every kind of green form in cities, especially analysis of spatial composition of urban complexes. The paper presents contemporary town planning solutions in European cities (mostly public spaces), which are outstanding examples of application of basic green spatial elements in urban composition.

The main purposes of the research presented in the article are following: 1/indication of the possibilities of the use of water motifs and water elements in urban composition and 2/indication of contemporary urban and landscape solutions, which are outstanding examples of the use of water reservoirs and water elements in public spaces in contemporary cities.