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
Portrait of Ármin Peez Sr. / A Kert, 1896. p. 314. / ADT The influence of the German-speaking part of Europe - especially Berlin and Vienna - remained primary during the period under examination. However, the example of city planning and the institutional system of the United Kingdom had started to become more important in the second half of the 19th century, due to more frequent travel and the international exchange of knowledge. The cultural effect which Vienna exerted on the architecture, art and landscape architecture of Buda and Pest had been crucial from the early 1700s.159 Nevertheless, the period analysed in detail in this book is the pivotal point when this influence started to be overshadowed by the Prussian capital, Berlin. Berlin and Budapest had very important common features: they both became the centre of a new state: Berlin became capital of the German Empire from 1871, and Budapest one of the equal capitals of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. As József Sisa remarked: “These two cities, attempting to make up for their historical drawbacks, showed the quickest development in contemporary Europe: Berlin first, Budapest in second place."160 The most unified cityscape evolved in these two cities as well. Asignificant group of Hungarian architects had studied in England, and they introduced a special architectural taste in their homeland.161 It is important to note, though, that the German effect in public park design was not only decisive in Hungary. Gustav Meyer and his public park designs drew the attention of the continent to the German capital. Nonetheless, it seems worth pointing out, that out of the three capitals - Berlin, Vienna and Budapest -, Budapest was the second to create a specialised service for urban green areas, after Vienna.162 The work of the Head Gardeners of Budapest, and of other independent designers, determined the structure of urban green spaces in Budapest for decades. Although in terms of stylistic solutions the 21st century pursued new and completely different directions, their theoretical approach, and some of their principles in planting, continue to be the basis through to the present day. conferences and congresses played a pivotal role. The vibrant professional life and the publication of not just theoretical writings but also travel diaries, books and conference reviews, and competitions helped the evolution of design theory. For researching the history of public parks in Budapest, this and other professional journals are key sources. The increasing demand for public open spaces in the city became decisive from the 1860s. It culminated in the establishment of the ‘Városi Kertészet’ (Parks Department of the City of Pest) first in 1867, which became the ‘Fővárosi Kertészet’ (Municipal Parks Department) after the creation of the new capital Budapest.152 At the time of its creation of the first city nursery was also established, to produce plants for the needs of the capital. It was built on the site of the Népliget Park. The nursery was the first step towards the creation of this park, which was one of the major landscape architectural projects of the time. Emil Fuchs153 was appointed as first leader of the Department; he had previously been leader of the gardening team at Városliget Park from 1865.154 The Parks Department together with the so-called ‘Sétányügyi Bizottság’ (Committee for Promenades) was subordinated to one of the 2nd and later 3rd departments of the Council of Budapest.155 Besides these two, the Metropolitan Board of Public Works also had a pivotal role in the creation of urban green spaces. While the Board created general plans and visions, and dealt with questions of building and planning regulations, the Municipal Parks Department was actually responsible for building, and sometimes also for planning the layout of the municipal parks. They were also in charge of the maintenance of existing and newly-created parks. The plants required for their plans came from their own nurseries.156 The parks and gardens, designed under the direction of the Head Gardeners of Budapest - until 1892 Emil Fuchs, between 1892 and 1912 Hans Christian (Keresztély) Ilsemann, and Karl August Rade between the two world wars - are still crucial from the point of view of development and liveability. Needless to say, some plans were carried out by independent designers as well. The oeuvre of leading figures such as Armin Pecz Sr. and Jr.,157 and János (Johannes) Hein are no less important. Ilsemann, Rade and Hein all came from German territory, but other designers knew the achievements of gardeners in the other continental cities too, through their travels during their early careers.158 Portrait of Emil Fuchs A Kert, 1896. p. 71S./ADT 45 Portrait ofKeresztély Ilsemann A Kert, 1905. p. 377. / ADT
