Csepely-Knorr Luca: Barren Places to Public Spaces. A History of Publick Park Design in Budapest 1867-1914 (Budapest, 2016)
Public Parks and Public Park design in the Second Half of the 19th Century
Gustav Meyer, Plan of Friedrichshain, Berlin, 1846 Zeitschrift für Gartenbau und Gartenkunst, 1895. p. 163. UB-TUB the first was crucial in England as well, the latter played an important role for French public parks. Meyer also mentioned the importance of relaxation and recreation, as well as enjoying “nature's innocent pleasures". Meyer divided urban green spaces into three distinct categories: ornamental squares, public promenades and peoples gardens. This shows how the importance of small green public spaces in the city centres became crucial after their introduction in Paris. Meyer also discussed the formal arrangements of ornamental squares; he recommended that these small spaces should be formal and symmetrical, and that the designer needs to work towards simplicity and graciousness. He recommended that the style of the ornamental squares should depend on the style and ornament of the surrounding buildings. The layout needed to be in harmony with the arrangement of the middle part of the square: it should contain a large lawn area with groups of ornamental shrubs, flower beds in geometric shapes and other ornamental plants in groups. The visual openings of the squares needed to be directed towards the most important buildings, or to the architectural decoration of the square, which could be a monument or a fountain. In terms of function, Meyers ornamental squares were designed for strolling, and he only recommended elements which served the enjoyment of the aesthetic beauties of these spaces, such as sheltered benches and paths. Meyer s writing was decisive in the evolution of public park theory both in Vienna and in Budapest. Besides his book, his actual designs also served as precedents. Meyer himself mentioned three examples to 41
