DOI - Mendel University Press

DOI identifiers

DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7509-904-4-0373

WHERE THE SQUARE MEETS THE STREAM: RE-DESIGNING THE RURAL SQUARE IN VEĽKÝ KÝR, SLOVAKIA

Attila Tóth

The Saint John of Nepomuk Square is the main central open space in the historical core of the rural municipality Veľký Kýr (Western Slovakia, Nitra Region, Danube Lowland). The square has a direct spatial relation to Malá Nitra, a side stream of the river Nitra. The main historical and architectural landmark is the Roman-Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The square is framed by two cultural centres, the municipal office, a supermarket, and other buildings. An important element is the statute of Saint John of Nepomuk, on the main compositional axis of the square. The design challenge was to develop design ideas and solutions how to unify the square visually and spatially and make it greener, and more pedestrian friendly. Master students of landscape architecture elaborated four different design solutions with diverse ideas and proposals for enhancing this important open space and making it more sustainable, functioning, and attractive for residents and visitors. The designs were presented to local inhabitants, members of the municipal council and the mayor. The design process initiated discussions on the local level and the square renewal process. The main outcomes of the analytical and creative thinking process are presented in this paper.

Keywords: countryside, green Infrastructure, landscape architecture, open space, waterfront

pages: 373-377, Published: 2023, online: 2023



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