Planting Design 2013 Working Group 17 - Case Study C

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Please add the title of your case study here, adjust the map coordinates and replace the moa image with a characteristic image of your site

Name	Prahova River Valley
Location	Breaza City
Country	Romania
Authors	Gabriel-Iulian Tanase

Rationale: Why is this case interesting?

Please give a short introduction to the site you have selected (not more than 150 words)"

The site I have selected for this assignment is the Prahova River Valley, and mainly the part of the valley that belongs to Breaza City. Prahova River has a very long path that stretches from the Carpathian Mounts to Romanian Plain. Breaza City segment that I chose was modified a few years earlier caused by the landslide. The land aspect has been dramatically changed as well as the vegetation and the woodland. The urbanization projects refers to firstly moving the Prahova River underground using tubes (that are on course) and secondly building a suspended highway over the valley (project). Therefore the aesthetic and functional aspect of this valley will change drastically.

• Why did you select it?

The reason I’ve selected is because of the changes that the Prahova Valley suffered in the last 5 years and the accelerated rate of artificial modification of the Valley, mainly on the Breaza City segment. The urbanization projects refers to moving the Prahova River underground using tubes for energy supply. Therefore the aesthetic and functional aspect of this valley will change drastically. Furthermore moving the river underground and also destroying a part of the vegetation in the process changed and continues to change the aspect of the valley in a negative way.

• Is it exemplary for a specific theme or a problem?

The site represents a type of site that was mostly natural, and now that is more and more urbanized. As a result I believe that this case is very interesting for finding the main problems and create a solution that diminishes or solves the issues entirely using planting design.

• In how far does it relate to your life?

Firstly I live in Ploiesti and the Prahova River Valley represented a leisure green space that I used since my childhood for weekend getaways and relaxation. Secondly the urbanization of the Prahova Valley will affect the not only the woodland, but also the leisure functions of the valley.

Author's perspective

From which professional background/perspective are your documenting this case?

As a lanscape designer the most important perspective view is the part of the plants design, because i think that the aethetic aspect is one the most important characteristics of the site. By suffering drastic changes on a portions of the land, trying to regain and rehabilitate part of the species (either plants or animals) in protected areas from the urbanization process. As a lanscape planner i think that the design is not only for the local's benefits but also for turism and territorial development.

Landscape and/or urban context of your case

• Biogeography, cultural features, overall character, history and dynamics

The site is located on a Carpethian Area, at a height of 380m-450, situated on Prahova's riverbed. The climate is temperate-continental specific to hilly areas. Also one Important charasteristic of the valley is the quallity of the air due to the ozone and negative ions which makes the air have an therapeutic effect. Furthermore the area has a noticeble bioclamate characterised by the low values of atmopheric pressure due to the air purity. On the other side the geographic position allows the area to have a rich vegetation, especially due to decidous forrests. About the native plants we can mention: populus alba, betula pendula, sambucus nigra, rosa canina, fraxinus excelsior. Finally surrounding the site there are 1400 ha of orchards covered with fruited plants, 1500 ha of forrest and 1800 ha of pastures and hayfields. We can say the the site has high qualitty characteristhics that makes it a very interesting site for landscaping.

• Illustration: Map; sketches; short descriptive analyses

• Landscape context
• 

  existing vegetation and overall aethetic aspect

• 

  relation between human activity and nature

• 

  landscape qualities

Analytical drawings

Please add four analytical sketches/drawings (or montages/schemes) of your case and take the following aspects into account:

• natural dynamic versus cultural framework - in how far do these two forces come together in your case?
• dynamic through the year (you may imagine how the site looks in spring and summer, maybe you also remember it)
• highlight potentials and problems

• Analytical Drawings
• 

  terrain analysis

• 

  perspective sketches, interraction between human culture and nature

• 

  potential and disfunctionalities

• 

  valuable areas for landscaping

Projective drawings

• Please add four projective sketches/drawings (or montages/schemes) for your case and take the following aspects into account:
  • How would you like this case to change in the near future? (in 1-2 years)
  • And how could it look like in 10-15 years?

• Projective Drawings
• 

  concept thematic gardens

• 

  characteristics of thematical gardens

• 

  functionality areas

• 

  projective drawing sketch of Prahova River Valley

Summary and conclusion

Please summarize your case and give arguments for your projective design (approx 150 words).

The Breaza City case study is an example of a territorial analysis and landscape planning controlling the human activity and intervention on Prahova's riverbed, mainly reducing the impact of the new hydroplant for Prahova river. This means that the main characteristics of Prahova's riverbed site is watermanagement related and woodland recovery. The intervention is about planning the landscape on the verge of being modified by human intervention. The projective design reffers mainly on blending the new landscape desgin into existing woodland, and making the impact with a noticeable, but aesthetically pleasant effect. The concept is to use different types of gardens (4 gardens: water loving plant garden, rock soil garden, forrest garden and orchard garden)along Prahova's riverbed due to its different soil characteristics. Therefore using the existing human "pattern" of fruitgrowing into the design of the gardens is an important characteristic that gives the intervention a high degree of contextuality.

Image Gallery

You may add a series of images/photos in addition to the sketches/drawings

• Image Gallery
• Yourfilename1.jpg

  image 1

• Yourfilename2.jpg

  image 2

• Yourfilename3.jpg

  image 3

• Yourfilename4.jpg

  image 4

References

* Please make sure that you give proper references of all external resources used.

* Do not use images of which you do not hold the copyright.

* Please add internet links to other resources if necessary.

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