Legnica is located in the central part of Lower Silesia Province, on the Kaczawa river. At the end of the nineteenth century, it gained the name of “the Silesian city of gardens”, because of the extremely dynamic development of the city’s urban greenery. This development was made possible thanks to the activities of members of many societies established by the citizens. Among them, particular reputation was enjoyed by the Legnica Horticultural Association and the Society for the Beautification of Promenades that engaged in the development and maintenance of areas of greenery and the organization of horticultural exhibitions. Growth of Legnica’s popularity as the “city of gardens” was significantly affected by the founding of the local city park, the main part of which was formed in the 2nd half of the nineteenth century. The park was created in several stages, during which more and more areas designed to perform different functions – from recreation to exhibition – were included in the entire composition. It is worthwhile to mention that the formation of Legnica park was connected with the activities of many outstanding personages, who include for instance Eduard Petzold, the famous garden designer. Functional and spatial transformations that have taken place within the described concept reflect how the needs of Legnica’s inhabitants changed over the decades. They also demonstrate how important urban greenery was and still is today in the lives of Legnica’s inhabitants.

Main subject of the article is the transformation of The Old Park in Bialystok and its relationship
with the surrounding urban space. The analysis is carried out in the context of the transformation
of identity of this place.

City Park in Nysa was established in the end of nineteenth century and looked up the English landscape garden model. Before the area was dryed, along with fortifications, it was a part of the fortifications system at Fortress Nysa. The park project was also a leaven for the adjacent areas harmonious development. In the early twentieth century, municipal hospital and multi-family housing area has been established in the immediate vicinity. Spatial solutions merging these objects with the park, as well as the urban tissue of the city, fit into the cities ideas proclaimed at the beginning of the last century.

The work refers to studies carried out on the social functions that can be used as urban green forest on the example of City Forest in Olsztyn. Forests located within the city limits are often spontaneously used as a place of recreation and sports. However, as demonstrated by research on the indicated object, green forests could also be an important place for the inhabitants, fulfilling tasks such: the educational, cultural or landscape. Proper definition areas of particular functions in the urban forest, will allow for the optimal proper use and disposal in accordance with specifications and expectations of society. The paper summarizes the methods of biogas production and management as the one of waste management and energy requirements. Some biogas utilization investments based on sustainable development were characterized.

The paper presents the relationship between landscape architecture and fine arts. Painting and drawing were and still are the inspiration and stage design of gardens. In turn, gardens were and are grateful theme of painting, drawing and graphics. City parks are also a convenient theme of outdoor painting and drawing for students of landscape architecture.

Świnoujście is a health resort with a port, set on the Polish-German border. Reconciliation of the bustling transport and quiet resort has been possible due to appropriate urban planning. A park buffer area was designed to separate the areas with contrasting functions, with its characteristic spatial arrangement visible as early as in the 18th century. Over the ages the form of the terrain comprising the “green buffer” has evolved, and additional functions (including a military one) were being gradually introduced. Due to war-time activities the parks were losing their primary value. Nowadays, the city authorities through a revitalisation process, are taking advantage of the area’s potential for tourism.

For several years Vienna has reached top positions in liveable cities competitions. An important element of sustainable development plans are strategies of the city green system and care for historic parks and gardens. The article presents an overview of historic and contemporary documents relating to the link of Vienna’s urban development and the evolution of its greenery system. An analysis of these studies proves its influence on actions undertaken to rise of quality of life and current pulse of historic metropolis like Vienna.

The paper presents Doctor Jordan’s gardens against a background of another children’s play spaces. Based on the examples of contemporary children’s gardens, their usage and appearance were descripted. The best directions for children’s gardens shaping in Poland were identified.

The article presents a briefly discussion of a few selected rural areas landscape designing principles for the urban society recreation needs, applied in England, Denmark and the Netherlands, and also selected postulates of the theoretical concept of village in the park landscape of tomorrow. In this context are presented some observations on the current landscape transformation in rural areas near Krakow.