Urban Park Design

Author: (Canada) Allen Tait
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This book showcases some of the best achievements in the public domain of landscape architecture. It conducts a comparative study of 20 significant public parks in 14 major cities in Western Europe and North America. As a collection, the book clearly elucidates why parks were established, how they were designed, how they were managed, and what planning they will undertake in the early 21st century. The 20 parks are introduced in order of increasing size. The book separately covers various aspects of each park: the circumstances surrounding the selection of the location, the reasons for choosing the site, and the key figures behind the decision to build the park. For the main designers of the parks, the book introduces their experiences and the value they brought to the project. The planning and design of each park are analyzed and researched, and the initial design concepts are introduced from aspects such as spatial structure, circulation systems, and intentionally formed features. The book describes the current state of the parks from the perspective of their management institutions: how they were appointed, how they examine user opinions, how the parks are funded, and how the funds are used. The latter part of each park's introduction focuses on their current planning. In the concluding section of the research, it discusses whether there are clear standards for planning, design, and management for "successful" urban parks. Based on unique research, including extensive field surveys and interviews with their management institutions, the book is supplemented with new design drawings and photographs of each park. This book reflects a belief that well-planned, perfectly designed, and well-managed parks are invaluable treasures for livable and attractive cities. For professionals and students in landscape architecture, architecture, urban planning, and park management, as well as those who value the special role of parks in the urban environment, this book will be highly appealing.