Evolution of the Approaches to Planting Design of Parks and Gardens as Main Greenspaces of Green Infrastructure

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Abstract

This chapter will analyse the role of planting design in shaping modern greenspaces – the main stepping stones of urban green infrastructure. Moreover, several theoretical concepts, such as green infrastructure, urban greenspaces, two natures, urban biotopes, and “biodiversinesque” landscape style, are considered. This chapter discusses the dual identity of greenspaces, shaped by two main forces: design (plants as living spatial elements that are combined according to design principles) and nature (plant communities/biotopes with their specific species composition and seasonal rhythms). The text also traces the development of the two most representative types of greenspaces – gardens and parks – by exploring the main steps of planting design history through an interdisciplinary (historical, design, ecological, and botanical) perspective. Parks and gardens were the quintessence of a complex political, economic, and social situation as well as aesthetical ideals; they reflected the natural environment of a specific region or country. The evolution of parks and gardens came a long way from altering/manipulation, improving, beautifying, and commercializing to finally attempting to mimic nature. This chapter is based on examples from Europe, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. The main aim is to demonstrate the importance of addressing local ecological, cultural, and social peculiarities when designing a new generation of sustainable urban greenspaces and green infrastructure.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUrban Services to Ecosystems
Subtitle of host publicationGreen Infrastructure Benefits from the Landscape to the Urban Scale
EditorsChiara Catalano, Maria Beatrice Andreucci, Riccardo Guarino, Francesca Bretzel, Manfredi Leone, Salvatore Pasta
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer Nature Switzerland AG
Chapter23
Pages435-452
Number of pages17
Volume17
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-75929-2
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-75928-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Sept 2021

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