Fortresses as Specific Areas of Urban Greenery Defining the Uniqueness of the Urban Cultural Landscape: Warsaw Fortress—A Case Study

Ewa Zaraś-Januszkiewicz, Jakub Botwina, Barbara Żarska, Tatiana Swoczyna and Tomasz Krupa
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Ewa Zaraś-Januszkiewicz: Department of Environment Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Jakub Botwina: Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Barbara Żarska: Department of Environment Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Tatiana Swoczyna: Department of Environment Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Tomasz Krupa: Department of Pomology and Horticulture Economics, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-30

Abstract: The term “fortress landscape” is a holistic one which involves coverage and terrain adapted for defensive purposes. The specificity of the historical heritage of the Polish cultural landscape is expressed in a great number of such objects, some of which have been absorbed by its cities. A case in point is the Warsaw Fortress. A significant part of its fortification has survived to this day. Due to its spatial structure, manner of use and condition, the Fortress constitutes a valuable element of Warsaw’s natural system. At the same time, it should be noted that this element is important due to being a tourist attraction and is an example of qualified military tourism. Military tourism is one of the most popular types of modern tourism. Its elements are frequently integrated into the urban green area system. Moreover, due to its specific spatial structure, the Fortress provides a unique element enriching the cultural landscape of the city. In this paper, a historical background of the Warsaw Fortress is analyzed with a special emphasis on its cultural value and public perception. The methods used in the study include a cultural value assessment, the WNET method, a survey questionnaire and both PCA and PCC statistical methods. The analysis showed that the landscape value of the Fortress received 70% of the maximum possible rating in the conducted survey. What is more, the Warsaw Fortress was also evaluated using all the assessment criteria. The study shows that the entry of the fortress elements into the city’s natural system is perceived as being valuable, although it often lacks a specific program. Consequently, the Warsaw Fortress should be subject to landscape protection with a view towards revitalization, along with introducing a recreational program.

Keywords: fortress landscape; fortress; fort; city natural system; cultural landscape (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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