Abstract
This article aims to underline the necessity of including historical enquiry in reaching the complex goals of sustainable development of urban riverscapes. Its proposed method is a survey conducted through selection, interpretation and systematization of the relevant historical data that consider the Belgrade cityscape, and specifically, the New Belgrade public spaces at the river confluence. The theoretical framework, which relies on the concepts of ‘landscape urbanism’ and ‘critical practice of landscape architecture’, has affected the selection and interpretation of dense historical layers of modernization, formed in diverse socio-economic and political conditions. We have distinguished five historical strata that contribute significantly to comprehension of the present state. By looking at the traces of the formative period of Belgrade urban landscape, the moments of New Belgrade’s inception, inerasable impacts of war, vigorous post WWII socialist transformation and, finally, the series of Danube riverscape revisions, we intend to depict the complexity of the modern city legacy and thus stress the interconnectedness of past and future endeavours. As a counterpoint to globalizing tendencies in re-designing city riverfronts, this work is conceived as a lateral contribution to a broader investigation that informs, supports and constitutes more ecologically viable practices.
Highlights
The creation of urban landscapes is considered in this study from the perspective of the synthesis of nature and culture under specific historical circumstances
The theoretical framework, which relies on the concepts of ‘landscape urbanism’ and ‘critical practice of landscape architecture’, has affected the selection and interpretation of dense historical layers of modernization, formed in diverse socio-economic and political conditions
By looking at the traces of the formative period of Belgrade urban landscape, the moments of New Belgrade’s inception, inerasable impacts of war, vigorous post WWII socialist transformation and, the series of Danube riverscape revisions, we intend to depict the complexity of the modern city legacy and stress the interconnectedness of past and future endeavours
Summary
The creation of urban landscapes is considered in this study from the perspective of the synthesis of nature and culture under specific historical circumstances. Even though historical enquiry is considered a standard methodological procedure and supposedly forms a common part within the practice of landscape architecture and urban design, under pressure from time-saving and profit-based demands of the capitalist economy, this step is often neglected or severely reduced Being aware of these reductions and their consequences, the survey starts from a general question: how to acquire profound knowledge and experience, as proper introduction to a site project? Starting from the premise that the concept of urban landscape offers a generic approach for revealing and re-imagining the unique features of the particular site, as well as the tools to actively resist the globalizing and homogenizing tendencies in contemporary practices [11], our intention is to distinguish layers of historical, natural, social, environmental, cultural and political specificities of the New Belgrade landscape (Figure 1). Fairngaulley, thwaet uwrboaunldriavregrusceatpheatreuvribsiaonnsriovfertshceapoesrte-svoiscioalnistosfotchieetyposhsto-usoldcialcitstassoactireitgygsehrofourldthaectcoams amturnigitgye,r alfoonrgthweitchomvamriuounsitly,parlofinlgedweixthpevratsr,iotouscloypperwofiitlhedbreoxapdeertnsv, itrooncmopeentwalitahndbrsooacdiael nchvairlolennmgesn.tal and social challenges
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