Waterscapes

After decades of being banished from residential areas, water is now becoming an increasingly significant feature in urban design. Whether it is the use of rainwater or the integration of natural water courses into the built environment, the incorporation of water elements in urban areas for climatic purposes or the creation of oases of tranquility or drama such as pools or fountains - all these aspects are not only encountering renewed interest among architects and urban planners, but they are also meeting with appreciation from the general public.

Here the varied aspects of water as an architectural element are considered, with specialists examining its artistic potential, its use outdoors, or its role in environmental technology. Some 35 international projects from many different areas will be a source of inspiration for architects and designers. Amongst the examples documented are the water management for the Potsdamer Platz area, Berlin, the landscaping in Harlemville, near New York, the water feature in Townsquare Kogorah, Sydney, the rainwater concept at the EXPO2000, Hanover, the roof terrace for Chicago City Hall, the water scene at the Opera Center, Warsaw, a water -sound installation in Hann Münden. and the landscape planning for the Solar City near Linz.

Contents

• Preface
• Robert Woodward: water in lanscape
• Herbert Dreiseilt: water is universal
• Wolfgang F.Geiger: think global, act local
• Wolfram Schwenk: water as an open system
• Dtelev Ispen: towards a new water culture
• Dieter Grau, Alexander Edel, Gerhard Hauber, Herbert Dreiseitl: from the idea to the finished object