GREENERY IN MINERAL AREAS, HISTORY AND CASE STUDY OF INTERIOR COURTYARDS TIMISOARA
Iasmina Nicolau1*, Irina Mohora 2, Anamaria Andreea Anghel 3
1 PhD, “Politehnica” University, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Timisoara, ROMANIA, iasmina.nicolau@gmail.com
2 PhD, “Politehnica” University, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Timisoara, ROMANIA, irina.mohora89@gmail.com
3 Lect. Dr., “Politehnica” University, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Timisoara, ROMANIA, anghelandreea@yahoo.com
*iasmina.nicolau@gmail.com
Abstract
European urban centers are characterized by densely built areas where the minimal green space percentage cannot be attained on the horizontal surface. The Medieval origins of most cities resulted in urban planning that imposed narrow streets and walkways, close proximity of buildings and small interior courtyards that determined important urban constraints for the following restoration, retrofitting and landscaping projects, therefore leading to the search of alternative vertically greening solutions.
The paper addresses two main challenges of the contemporary urban environment: urban vegetation and interior courtyards of historical centres. Based on a historical analysis of the origins, evolution and constant transformation of the vertical garden, from Antiquity to the Modern Age, the study aims to define the potential connection of vertical greenery with architecture in historical areas. Regarding the importance of greenery in urban planning and the major role it plays in the optimal functioning of a city, the study will focus on the situation of interior courtyards and the dialogue that can be created with the pedestrian streets.
The proposed case study is the historical center of Timisoara, the capital of Banat region, located in western Romania. Following a complete urban restructuring by the Habsburgic Empire in the XVIIIth century, the urban fabric of the old center, also known as the “Cetate” (Citadel) district, is based on rectangular blocks made of public and private buildings with inner courtyards. The migration towards the newly-built satellite neighborhoods, lead to a functional mixture of dwellings and institutions that must be taken into consideration when discussing the situation of interior courtyards in the historical city center.
A broad remodeling project, ended in 2015, included the redesign of the urban spaces of the historical center as well as the pedestrianization of the streets. The project completely modified the perception and atmosphere of the urban space, from a car oriented area to an exclusive pedestrian-friendly zone, entirely mineral and void of vegetation of any kind. Considering the interdiction to plant vegetation on the pedestrian streets, one of the solutions to open this neighborhood towards nature and greenery is by activating the relation with the existing interior courtyards that could accommodate various species of vegetation. Thus, by developing and opening these enclosed spaces to the city, the newly created urban connections could become important elements in the ecological, social and cultural activation of the entire district and city.
The paper aims to present rules and directions for designers, public and private investors for an enriched life in historical centers and to create viable and achievable solutions integrated in the new and retrofitting construction sites.
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