The Mirabell Gardens: Salzburg's Answer to Sustainable Habitats
By STORIES OF ERNE @storiesoferne Chief Editor Published: July 1, 2022
The Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria
In the Austrian city of Salzburg, the Mirabell Gardens is their responsive contribution to mankind's environmental consciousness ideal for the long-term growth of urban centers.
Just imagine a metropolis without the lush landscapes of Mother Nature. Wouldn't it be absolutely boring to experience a place built merely out of concrete, glass, and steel? What could the feeling be like? Now, why are gardens and their green cousins vital for the health, productivity, and well-being of cities?
The Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria
The presence of various natural elements in an urban settlement escalates our chances as inhabitants to thrive for the better. An increasing number of scientific studies claim that our constant exposure to ecological spaces helps in our physical, mental, emotional, and most probably in our spiritual development. There are a fair amount of countries that have already been advocating the green revolution. A key international location is situated in Austria.
The Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria
And one of this nation's best locations to demonstrate the effective power of environmental stewardship is the Mirabell Gardens, a piece of natural paradise incorporated with the majestic Mirabell Palace which was commissioned in 1606 by prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich for Salome Alt, his dearest mistress. Not only is this landmark globally known as the prestigious setting where the Von Trapp children sang "Do-Re-Mi" in the famous movie "Sound of Music" (1965), but also is the city's breathing organism for healthier living standards.
The Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria
I felt like a distinguished member of royalty in the presence of this UNESCO World Heritage Site - immensely captivated by the exquisite Baroque architecture of the Mirabell Palace, the accompanying estate, and its surrounding gardens. Well, who wouldn't? You need to be physically there to understand what I mean.
The Mirabell Gardens was implemented in 1687 and designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, also embodying a Baroque architectural signature. To enhance its beauty, function, and long-term survival, this green landmark was constantly redesigned over the years. Interestingly, some of its most distinctive characteristics include the incorporation of visual panoramas, the implementation of curved frameworks, plus the addition of walkways being lined up with trees.
The Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg, Austria
I wouldn't hesitate to be reunited with this gorgeous paradise of nature on my next Austrian adventure. No wonder the Mirabell Gardens has not only provided the ecological balance required for the city of Salzburg but has also transformed it into an iconic destination for tourists, historians, photographers, filmmakers, wedding planners, landscape professionals, environmentalists, and most importantly for Architects like me.
In Volume 1 Issue 5 of A+DPOST™, the official magazine of the Architecture+Design Community on the Hive Blockchain, we are featuring "Greening the Metropolis: Nature's Impact on the Sustainability of Cities" with our Contributing Authors gladly celebrating the spectacular "natural landscapes of city centers" from their countries of origin.
Enjoy our remarkable stories about urban gardens and their tremendous benefits for a growing metropolis!
Sincerely,
ERNE Architect | Environmentalist | Lifehacker | Adventurer Creator of Architecture+Design Community on the Hive Blockchain
OASIS IN THE DESERT: Al Bidda Park, Doha Qatar
CARLA LERION @arkicarls Contributing Author Published: July 1, 2022
Al Bidda Park, Doha Qatar. Photo: © CARLA LERION @arkicarls
In the center of the Desert Metropolis, Doha, Qatar's Al Bidda Park is packed with lushes of green landscape and public activity areas for sports, theater, and gatherings, providing a calm getaway from the bustling city. This urban garden breathes life into the desert and provides a juxtaposition to the concrete jungle that dominates Doha's skyline.
Al Bidda Park is without a doubt the go-to place for relaxation not only for Arabs but also for tourists like me. This 200-hectare park in the heart of Doha is indeed an "oasis in the desert," overlooking the city's towering buildings. It simply promotes wellbeing, inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and the value of community by providing a variety of unique features that anyone can enjoy, and, yes, there is no admission fee!
Al Bidda Park, Doha Qatar. Photo: © CARLA LERION @arkicarls
The park offers a wide variety of activities. Walking and jogging tracks, bicycle paths, and even camel trails! Sports facilities such as outdoor fitness areas, gymnasiums, and courts are even free to use. All of the playgrounds scattered throughout the park have fun themes that children will adore. Picnics on grass or kiosks are also available for families, and there is a barbecue or cooking area stationed in the park. Above all, the way all of these features were in sync and harmony with the surrounding landscape was truly exceptional.
Al Bidda Park, Doha Qatar. Photo: © CARLA LERION @arkicarls
For better info you can check Al Bidda Park’s wayfinding map: Source: https://albiddapark.com/park-wayfinding-map/
Al Bidda Park, Doha Qatar. Photo: © CARLA LERION @arkicarls
When I visited the park couple of years ago, I did not expect that this country has this kind of “garden thing”. All I knew was that it's a deserted country and there's a lot of great architecture and that’s it. Surprisingly, the country has this urban park that is brimming with greenery, with various types of trees, shrubs, water features, and flower gardens. The park's topography is also promising. It boasts mountain-like mounds and river-like water features. Fantastic is an understatement. This park's beauty truly astounds me.
Al Bidda Park, Doha Qatar. Photo: © CARLA LERION @arkicarls
I had a great time walking in the park and, of course, taking pictures! I didn't get many photos because I was having so much fun in the park that I forgot to document everything. I suppose that's how parks should be. You disconnect from the online world, but you reconnect with nature and recharge because of its therapeutic powers.
Urban Gardens are something that many cities overlook and neglect to develop. Most urban developments are purely market-driven, and areas such as parks have little value. Despite its desert location, Qatar demonstrates that it is possible to create stunning urban parks and gardens in the heart of a desert city.
BARARIDA URBAN PARK in Barquisimeto, Venezuela
BENJAMIN SANCHEZ MUJICA @besamu Contributing Author Published: July 1, 2022
Bararida Urban Park in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Photo: © BENJAMIN SANCHEZ MUJICA @besamu
Bararida Park, whose name derives from the indigenous Caribbean word "Vararida" which means "Valley of the Ladies", is a recreational park, green lung of the city of Barquisimeto, State of Lara, where fauna, a zoo and the exuberant wealth of tropical nature coexist in total harmony.
In the park, you can enjoy cultural and educational spaces through a zoo, a serpentarium, playgrounds, and adventure farms with poultry.
The Central Lagoon, which can be explored in pedal boats, is full of fish and turtles. Inside the lagoon, there is an island where the main restaurant of the zoo is, where typical Larense food is offered.
Bararida Urban Park in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Photo: © BENJAMIN SANCHEZ MUJICA @besamu
In 2001, “El Mirador de la Ciencia” was inaugurated, where the study of science and technology is encouraged for the enjoyment of children. It has a passage dedicated to amphibians and a planetarium where a virtual walk through the Universe is shown. It is planned to build an internet browsing center.
Bararida Urban Park in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Photo: © BENJAMIN SANCHEZ MUJICA @besamu
The park has a collection of approximately 150 species of native trees and trees from other tropical regions is exhibited, accompanied by a population of animals that is around 185 species and 2175 individuals, many of them in danger of extinction, which is why captive breeding of these species has been promoted.
Bararida Urban Park in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Photo: © BENJAMIN SANCHEZ MUJICA @besamu
The park covers an area of 18.5 hectares. Its construction was decreed in 1939, but it was not until 1964 when 22 hectares of the original area were fenced off and the central lagoon was built at its highest point, the entrance and the paths surrounded by chaguaramos. In 1967 the Bararida Zoological and Botanical Park was inaugurated.
Bararida Urban Park in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Photo: © BENJAMIN SANCHEZ MUJICA @besamu
Thirty years later, the exhibition of bears (Andean, brown, and Tibetan), Andean condor, manatees with underwater viewers were put into operation, in addition to the inauguration of the serpentarium and the contact-farm, on the other hand, the drilling of the well that supplies water to the institution.
All the photos were taken by my family in Barquisimeto, my hometown.
URBAN GARDEN: Bringing Nature Back to the City
CHERRY NG @cherryng Contributing Author Published: July 1, 2022
Urban Gardens in Singapore. Photo: © CHERRY NG @cherryng
Nowadays the furious development in an urban area has been slowed down by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic is a sign to warn all of us about our Earth already seriously sick. We have to be more considerate not to destroy nature, but to respect and learn to live with the natural environment.
As a result, the pandemic has changed the world, our life, our thinking, and our mind-set to be more eco-friendly and concerned about our natural environment.
SINGAPORE A “GARDEN CITY”
Singapore is called the “Garden City” with its lush greenery and clean urban areas in order to create a pleasant living environment for the people. In more recent years, Singapore has adopted the biophilic design in restoring habitats and greening efforts to fight climate change brought about by extreme weather and increasing urbanization.
The creation of more urban gardens is a key pillar of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a program where residents will be able to enjoy a liveable, sustainable, and climate-resilient country.
One of the well-known urban gardens in Singapore and also the most popular tourist spot is GARDENS BY THE BAY. This popular landmark combines nature and high-tech environmental facilities that are attracting millions of visitors to visit this great leisure spot.
Common seems plants in Garden by the Bay, Bromeliad Aechmea plants, and Agave species. Photo: © CHERRY NG @cherryng
Sungei Buloh Wetland. The Visitor Centre with modern architectural concept surrounded by wetland greenery. Photo: © CHERRY NG @cherryng
Sungei Buloh Wetland. The stepping stones link the swamp area to the Visitor Centre. Photo: © CHERRY NG @cherryng
