Tradition of Green Architecture in Lithuania. Is it Possible to Continue it?

Abstract

Lithuanian tradition of green architecture – it is not only a perception of landscape identity, but also a perception of human-nature coexistence. Problems of ECO architecture are analyzed through narrower green architecture concept, as a field of cultural human activity, historical tradition of space. It is not only work field of urban planners, architects or landscape architects. It is a tradition of spontaneous relationship with the natural environment of every nation. Circle of investigated questions is urban expression of green architecture in Lithuanian cities. Two branches with different genesis roots are defined: from urban agriculture to city landscape . All possible development configurations of green architecture in future city should be associated with concept of self-sufficient city , that is to say, planned, regulated, balanced change, ensuring not only renewal of artificial structures but also renewal of natural structures. The subject is urgent because mistakes in this process only lead to collapse of the cities and destruction of nature. Lithuanian cities development : peculiarities and changes are inseparable from human effort to communicate with flora: practical use (food preparation), beautification of personal everyday life. In Lithuanian cities, manors and monasteries architects planned unique ensembles of green architecture . Urban planner of 20 th century included surrounding valuable natural landscape elements into urban fabric, they created systemic ‘Green structures of the city’. Emphasizing that Lithuanian cities identity is related to preserved structures of urban agriculture and green architecture (always vibrant and changing), thus formed objectives are to recognize, preserve and develop these structures. Discussing global trends of green architecture , we see that main of them are associated with intense urban growth and need to adapt natural talents, primarily in the sense of energy and natural environment. It is understandable that Lithuanian cities will not stay in eternal stagnation, however, their development suppose to immediately balance between two objectives: cities urban intensity should grow parallelly to intensity of green structures; proposals of cities development, their forms and objectives should be presupposed on political, juristical and educational basis – this is obligation of raising public ecological consciousness. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.13.4.13609