Striving for Harmony between Contemporary Construction and Values of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Protected Areas

Transcription

1 Striving for Harmony between Contemporary Construction and Values of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Protected Areas v. Stauskas Vytautas Magnus University and Institute of Architecture and Construction, Kaunas, Lithuania Ahsract National and regional parks, natural preserves, landscapes for tourism and outdoor recreation etc., are protected areas. Often in the high density populated Western and Central Europe in these areas is contemporary living process and therefore construction. These are not strict natural reserves. Most of the buildings are residential and recreational. Therefore the planning of the territory and construction should be in harmony and balance among these 4 interests: 1. Nature protection. 2. Preservation of cultural heritage. 3. Social interests of residents. 4. Holiday. - makers and tourists. Landscape specifics require that the new architecture in such zones would be managed. The main requirements: a) avoid large (high) structures vertically and horizontally; b) avoid locating the buildings on the s,ea shore or lake shore; c) uphold the visual priority of natural landscape; d) in the building shapes (especially roofs) and materials to consider the local architectural traditions. This example of approach in theory and implementation can be the policy of planning and construction in the Lithuanian southern sea coast, called Neringa (a peninsula of 52 km. Length, consisting of 5 townships - it is the Curonian Spit National Park). The Master Plan was approved in 1970 and The variety of local landscape and ethnic traditions is shown in five Lithuanian national parks as well. Each park has his own spirit ; it cannot be measured, but it must be felt. Architecture should give results that are synthesis of reason and emotion. Keywords: Architecture, protected landscape, management, national park

2 Introduction The most beautiful landscape and landscapes with special importance for science, recreation and tourism are often declared protected areas by law. These can be national or regional parks, or recreational areas of national or international importance. In contrast to American, African and Australian national parks, a rather intensive human activity and noticeable material traces of the post can be observed in national and especially regional parks of Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Buildings, their layout and architecture become here an important component of the landscape. In order not to okstroy the historically formed spatial and social harmony, it is necessary to seek balance among four main interest groups: 1. Nature protection; 2. Preservation of cultural heritage; 3. Social interests of local people and 4. Interests of holidaymakers and tourists. Theoretically, it seems quite obvious, yet in practice complicated and even conflicting situations may arise. Architectural management and some restrictions on building are necessary there.. Building Philosophy A building is not an end in itself. Its primary goal is social, i. e. man: his life, work and recreation. Therefore, the architecture of a building is not fine art is applied art. Secondly, a building is not a thing per se but a thing in a certain environment. Both above - mentioned aspects are especially important in protected areas, mainly in the areas or recreation. On weekends and during holidays, people have different requirements for the overnight or public service buildings than for those meant for everyday work. These buildings are not goals but means for resting in a beautiful place with a landscape as natural as possible. The landscapes are usually very different. Traditions of social life are also different in different countries, they differ even in distinctive regions of the some country. The primary architectural principle in protected areas, therefore, is variety. No uniform! The second principle is spatial harmony, not contrast. Architecture in protected areas is not a host but a guest. No matter how much we, architects and engineers, respect our work, it should not conceal the beauty and originality of the surroundings with its size, form and colours. A really professkmal project will catch the beauty of subtle nuances and harmony. The third principle is regionalism. Even modern architecture. should not be fashionably cosmopolitan. Cultural peculiarities and evaluation of national identity as well as respect for it become important here. Regional specifics, as reflected in buildings or architecture of whole settlements, are also important as a tourist attraction and, consequently, as a factor in local economv- Layout of Buildings in a Landscape In protected areas one can usually find a historical y formed network of settlements, villages and separate farms. As a rule, they are also protected and not liable to change. The location of an individual buildil.g in a historical village must conform to the tradition. A more complicated case is an intensive

3 World when hotels and restaurants practically sit on dunes and beaches while coastal parks are substituted by hoasts of advertisment boards. The famous Miami Beach and Atlantic City in the United States, and Gold Coast in Australia can serve as typical examples. The new continents could have learnt from mistakes of old Europe but they didn t. Now we, the free Eastern European countries, have a chance in our integration process into the new Europe. This is what we trying to do and will continue doing. Each sea resort should consist of two parts: day - time resort and night resort. Day - time surroundings should include vegetation, contact with sea and coast, sunshine and peaceful atmosphere. It should be minimally urbanized - small kiosks, pavilions and marinas. Night life emphasizes contacts among people, music and entertainment, discos, etc. Nature is not so important for the night resort. It should be, therefore, at least metres from the coast. For a lake, the minimal distance is metres. Hilltops should be treated with caution not only in protected areas but in all recreational areas as well. New buildings should not only be avoided but also for fidden there because a natural silhouette can be easily destroyed, but it is impossible to reestablish it. The same principles of harmony, variety and synthesis of interests that were mentioned in respect to buildings are also applicable to master plans of recreational areas including both private and municipal land. National and international importance of protected areas and main resorts is superior to private interests of individual persons. A clever person, no doubt, will be able to use these principles for the benefit of his own business. Relationship between Ethnic and Modern Architecture The preservation of ethnic architecture in protected areas, and especially in national parks, is obligatory and beyond all dispute. Sometimes the whole settlement or part of it is declared an ethnocultural or urban reserve, for example, the threee villages in the highlands Lithuanian National Park or the historical parks of Nida s, Preila s and Juodkrante s fishermen villages in Neringa in the Curonian Spit National Park. Decayed buildings must be restored. They can serve as dwelling houses or small hotels. Such houses are especially popular among holiday makers. However, while 1building new hotels, the eternal problem of old and new come to the fore. In Lithuania, we try to keep to the following approach: a) new buildings in protected and recreational areas should not be high or big both vertically and horizontally. The most desirable size is that of a historical building; b) facades may be modern, but the most optimal choice is to use traditional construction and decoration materials; c) traditional roof silhouette is recommended, flat roofs are not built (thought in southern climate such roofs are quite acceptable). For our general conception the northern, reserved atmosphere of Scandinavia and Finland, with an attempt to avoid cheap effects, is most acceptable. The ideas and works of Alvar Aalto, Ralf Erskin and other colleques are especially close to our understanding. It is a pitty, but even in the Far East, with its old cultural values and deep

4 Island can serve as illustrations. The uniform appearance of Hilton, Sheraton and Intercontinental hotels is as irritating as Shell petroleum stations. The Spirit of National Parks Spirit: this concept seems incongruous in the context of congress and serious audience of engineers, isn t it? But yes, it does exist; thought it cannot be measured, it can be felt. And architecture should give results that are synthesis of reason and emotion. There are 30 regional parks and 5 national parks in Lithuania. And each of them, especially the national parks, has its micro-spirit. It comprises peculiarities of folk traditions, occupations of the people, nature, and contemporary mode of life. It is difficult to find right words to describe this, but let me try. For example: The Curonian Spit National Park (Neringa) Traditional fishing industry and forestry. In comparison with other national parks, the tourism industry is highly developed. The cultural heritage of Lithuania Minor, in particular the remaining timber architecture of Curonians villages. Water sports, especially yachting. An excellent sea life museum in Smiltyne. Scientific conferences in winter. Unique dune landscape. The spirit of the sea and sand. The Samogitia National Park Farming is the traditional occupation. Rich rural and religions architecture. A religions centre in Samogitian Kalvarija. Folk handicraft and folk festivals. A museum of former Russian missile base: The spirit of folklore prevails. The Highlands National Park More lakes than in other parks. Traditional occupations - farming, fishing and forestry. Old timber architecture villages are unique to this national park. A lake tourism centre. A bee museum. Holiday - making in villages is popular. The spirit of lakes and old villages. The Dzukija. National Park A landscape of great woods and rivers. The valleys of the Nemunas River and small rivers. Traditional occupation - forestry. The capital of mushrooms. The local people are known for their ethnocultural peculiarities and folklore. Historical places Liskiava and Merkine. The spirit of huge pine forests. The Trakai Historical National Park It is the place of three castles that have historical significance for Lithuania. A unique restored castle - museum on an island. Intensive tourism. The relict Karaim ethnoculture. Festivals of ancient music. Water sports. The spirit of old Lithuanian history. To have a subtle feeling of national parks spirits is a difficult but obligatory task for designers, architects and engineers. Interesting differences may give new and unexpected ideas that will reveal themselves in the architectural layout of buildings and organization of open spaces.

5 Experience of the Curonian Spit National Park (Neri,nga) It is a long (100 km) Sandy peninsula (52 of which belong to Lithuania) between the Nemunas delta, the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Both the Lithuanian and the Russian parts of the peninsular are national parks. A unique dune landscape (60-65 m high). There are four old fishermen villages in the Lithuanian part: Nida, Preila, Pervalka and Juodkrante as well as Smiltyne weekend recreational area in the very north, near Klaipeda city and port. In and master plans and detailed plans for all territory and every village were made for this arca. Tourism management and development programme, reglamentation of architecture, nature and cultural heritage protection programme, suggestions for optimal social and development are all meant to preserve and maintain this national park. The population of Neringa is 2, 6 thousand, in summer they cater for up to 5-6 thousand holiday makers and tourists every day. According to functional and ecological zoning (based on the permissable protective regime), over 66 % of the area are landscape reserves and preserves, about 30 a/, are recreational areas by the sea and the Curonian Lagoon. Settlement management as well as building policies seek to implement the philosophy and theoretical principles prepared by the Institute of Architecture and Construction in Kaunas which were presented at the beginning of the article. After World War II, with changes in population and a great influx of holiday makers (esp. from the East), a number of new buildings were built and numerous old houses restored. At present practically no house is higher than three storeys, no ferro - concrete structures were used. The first flat roofs are now being replaced by slantin g tilt rook. There are a lot ok timber or combined brick and timber facades. One can still feel the spirit of the villages of the ancient Curonians. Traditional water occupations and water sports have been preserved. Yet, there have also been mistakes. The historical hotel Jurate in Nida as well as new of Santauta and Azuolynas hotels in Juodkrante are too big. There is a dangerous tendency towards cosmopolitan commerce felt in the new municipality that organizes Rock music shows and motor rally races. Intentions are even voiced to built a new bridge and airport establish the Casino. We are of the opinion that the task of architecture professionals is not only to make a master plan as a guideline for the municipality but also to continue our elucidating and humane mission all the time. The idea of harmony and balance will be crushed if only side of interests will be accentuated. To preserve the uniqueness and spirit of the place is important not,only for us but also for the whole World. On the threshold of the 21 st century we say: Let s advance ourselves! Conclusions The tasks of land use and land management in protected areas are much wider than just relations between buildings on the side and nature and cultural values on the other. They have been shortly discussed in the present article. On the whole, it is worthwhile to remember the new definition of architecture adopted by the International Union of Architects (IUA) in Warsaw in 1981 more often. Instead of the old statement: Architecture is the art of construction it is said

6 now: Architecture is the art and science of shaping environment. A building is. just one element of the environment. The responsibility of architects and engineers in creating this element has, therefore, been growing. The 21 st century is the century of sustainable development. The ideas and principles applied at present in protected areas will become more and more useful in all areas as well.. References 1. Stauskas, V. (1997) Recreational Architecture in the recreational landscape - host or guest? Proceedings of34 th IFLA World Congress, vol. 2, I3uenos Aires, Argentina, p Stauskas, V. (1996) The strategy of Lithuanian seacoast territorial planning. Institute fiu dkologische Schriften, No. 17, Dresden, p : 3. Stauskas, V. (1996) The planning of recreational regions in Lithuania. HUS I ICS, vol. 61, No. 364/36, Athens, Greece, p Stauskas, V. (1992) Relations between cultural heritage and natural values in the National Parks of East I3altic countries. Proceedings of the 29 th ZFLA World Congress, Seoul - Muju Resort, Korea, p Stauskas, V. (1974) The principles of architectural and urban planning management in Neringa (Curonian Spit). Problems of Lithumian architecture, vol. 4, Vilnius - Kaunas, p (Lithuanian). 6. The master plan of Curonian Spit National Park (part of architecture and planning).( 1994): Institute of Architecture and Construction.- Kaunas, (head of team V. Stauskas). (Lithuanian).