Transformation of Danube Recreational Sites

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to verify models of sustainable urbanization of the Danube riverside landscape in the suburban surroundings of Bratislava. The research focused on landscape-ecological forms of suburban urbanization in the contact of the river Danube, in the context of meanders of the Danube branches with the formation of recreational localities. The implementation of ecological principles was based on the concept of regional structures with a vision of the renewal of the ancient branches of the Danube for the creation of the climatic envelope of Bratislava from the southwestern side. The completion of the Petržalka, Slnečnice, Južné Mesto, and rural structures near Jarovce, Rusovce, and Čuňovo, conditioned by ecological urbanization, will acquire more landscape elements and a system of blue and green infrastructure. The hierarchical transition of the city to the suburban localities is solved by creating zones of recreation and sports on the Danube. Variant case studies of the "Danubia Park" near the village of Čuňovo are located on the southwestern bank of the Hrušov Reservoir of the Danube, with access to the Wild Water sports zone and the Danubiana Gallery complex. The research followed up on the verification of the recreational function in the landscape and focused on the level of low occupancy, the integration of sports and recreational functions, accessibility by all modes of transport, the penetration of recreation into the open landscape. For the identity of the original landscape, freely modeled connections to the riparian zone, work with water flow in the area, port, pedestrian and cycling connections to the EuroVelo route, outdoor museums of the Danube meadows, lakes and wetland communities, workouts, and multifunctional playgrounds, forms of wellness, sauna world and natural swimming. Ecological recreation concepts in the landscape of the Danube floodplains on the banks of the Danube used the modeling of banks, watercourse lines, meandering of recreational areas, green axes, play areas, elements, and zones. They used lighthouses and lookout towers for accent and orientation. The hierarchy of the release of small urban structures and loose forms of sensitive urbanization with functional flexibility and attractiveness proved the justification and location in the landscape of the Danube meadows, in the contact zones of the protected landscape and the watercourse. In this way, the importance of the suburban landscape structure is beneficial for the city not only in terms of functional attractiveness but also in terms of landscape protection and the climatic influence of the city's hinterland on its compact structures.