Urban Green Areas – their functions under a changing lifestyle of ...

designed and constructed the park. while increasingly these role were separated. In
addition, In addition, parks became more functional and the importance of purely artistic
elements declined.
2.1.4 Modern Times
After the Russian Revolution (October 1917), the Soviets designed a new type of so-called
culture and leisure park. An example of this style is the Gorky Park in Moscow which was
opened in 1928 (GORKY 2012).
The construction of Gorky Park followed the principle that recreation and cultural
activities should serve to educate the people. The park therefore has many different facets.
Quiet areas for rest, exercise-areas to enhance health, exhibition areas and childrens’ areas
were all included. The function of the park was to provide people of all age with recreation
and education in a space of freshness and beauty. The important role of the park was to
make people feel like living in different environments without noisy scenes of the city, and
close to the nature and relax in nature.
Picture 2.3 a: Park of Riga, Latvia
Picture 2.3 b: Park of Riga, Latvia
(own pictures, 2010) (own pictures, 2010)
As a leader of socialist countries, Russian parks influenced the design of park planning
throughout Eastern Europe (see Picture 2.3 a,b.) and in Vietnam as well. Thong Nhat park
was designed along the lines of the Russian model.
UGA planning in the former Soviet Union and in America shared common purposes
although, the Former Soviet Union focused more on recreational functions while the
American parks were generally more interested in designing landscapes. (ZHANG et al.
2007: 533–542).
Public parks nowadays
From the end of 20 th century onwards, parks have been being developed by combinations of
previous styles. For example, we can find romantic designs which are influenced by
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