DOI - Mendel University Press

DOI identifiers

DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-087-0-0021

AGRICULTURAL PARKS AS MULTIFUNCTIONAL RECREATIONAL LANDSCAPES IN METROPOLITAN REGIONS

Attila Tóth1
1 Institute of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia


Agricultural landscapes located within metropolitan regions are increasingly recognised as important components of multifunctional green infrastructure. While traditionally perceived primarily as spaces for food production, contemporary planning approaches emphasize their broader ecological, social and cultural functions. The concept of agricultural parks represents an innovative strategy for integrating agricultural production, recreation and landscape protection within urbanised territories. This paper explores agricultural parks as a specific form of multifunctional recreational landscape where productive agricultural land simultaneously provides ecosystem services, recreational opportunities and landscape identity. The study focuses on selected European case studies, including Landschaftspark Belvedere in Cologne, Parco delle Risaie in Milan and Espai Rural de Gallecs in the Barcelona metropolitan area. These examples demonstrate different approaches to the spatial organisation, governance and management of agricultural landscapes functioning as public open spaces. The analysis highlights the role of landscape architecture, green-blue infrastructure and nature-based solutions in transforming conventional agricultural landscapes into accessible and attractive recreational environments without compromising their productive function. Attention is paid to spatial design strategies such as recreational path networks, landscape interpretation and biodiversity-supporting elements integrated into the agricultural matrix. The findings illustrate how agricultural parks can contribute to sustainable metropolitan development by preserving farmland, enhancing biodiversity and offering new forms of everyday recreation in productive landscapes.

Keywords: multifunctional landscapes; urban agriculture; green infrastructure; nature-based solutions; landscape architecture

pages: 21-24, Published: 2026, online: 2026



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