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This paper deals with the concept of a small historic town. It aims to define it and establish the related criteria for a selection of such urban entities on the territory of Croatia. It was written within the Ph.D. program "Architecture and urban planning" at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Zagreb. Small historic towns play a vital role in spatial identity and urban tradition. Croatia boasts a 25-century long tradition of urban life (from the Antiquity to the present). Small historic towns are nowadays faced with a decline of economic activities, demographic problems and a general economic, social and physical degradation. Th e issue of small historic town decline both in Croatia and in Europe results from a shift in production, declining birth rate and increased share of elderly population. In this context new approaches to renewal and revitalization are needed. A research into the methods and models of protection and revitalization of small historic towns starts with an attempt to define a rather vague and ill-defined concept of a small historic town in contemporary Croatian scientific and professional literature and legislation. The goal of this paper is to examine the existing criteria as well as the existing definitions of a town / city, specifically a small town in European countries and in Croatia in order to provide some additional criteria related to urban form, i.e. some structural and morphological features. The established set of criteria served as a basis for an analysis aimed at defining the concept of a small historic town. Subsequently, an inventory of such towns in Croatia was compiled. In order to define the term small historic town, a multi-criteria approach is proposed based on: administrative, size-related, functional, historical, conservationist, and structural- morphological criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores shepherds' dwellings in the Velebit Mountain and presents a segment of a systematic research of the topic. The past research and documentation of usual architectural types has been followed by detailed exploration of pastoral settlements in central Velebit with resulting documentation, an analysis of unusual construction elements of the dwellings, and a discovery of circumstances and potential causes of their development. The paper presents five dwellings of simple spatial features found in the Mliniste settlement in autumn 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the restoration and renovation projects conducted on the former Benedictine church of St Mary on the island of Mljet in the 17th and 18th centuries and defines a construction timeframe for the annexed lateral chapels. Based on research of archival documents the paper presents data on St Mary's Church, the 17th-century monastic congregation on Mljet, and the layout of the 18th-century monastic complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper resulted from thorough research conducted for the purposes of making a physical plan and conservation report for the North Velebit National Park. The research included cultural, historical and spatial conditions for the development of the landscape pattern of mountain settlements. The paper also includes analyzed and classified features of the landscape components as well as a description of the present state of the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is a result of field research and analysis of professional literature and archival materials published as part of an evaluation project of certain buildings in the Plitvice Lakes National Park with the purpose of inscribing the most significant buildings in the Croatian Register of Cultural Properties. The hypothesis of the paper is that the most important construction period occurred after WWII when architecture of the area was adopted to the natural environment and built on the sound basis of pre-war modernism. Most of the surviving buildings are mainly in derelict state, whereas the formal and functional values of those in use are neglected. That might be caused by insuffi- cient research, publication and evaluation of the Plitvice Lakes architecture. Thus, the aim of the paper is to draw attention to this architectural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the first in a series of papers envisaged to systematically present the oeuvre of architect Alfred Albini, which is not quantitatively significant since it includes about fifty works, fifteen of which have been realized. However, with their quality, nine of his buildings stand out in the history of Croatian modern architecture, most of them counting as architectural classics. Chronologically approached and morphologically analyzed these works can loosely be grouped into two main sections: early works (1927-35) and mature works (1935-64). This paper deals with Albini's early architectural accomplishments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses laws on landscape protection by providing an analysis and evaluation of the status of landscape protection in Croatia, regulated by four laws, and its comparison to that of other European countries. As a result, it provides guidelines for improving landscape protection and for an efficient application of European Landscape Convention in Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents four classic works by the esteemed 20th Century Croatian architect Alfred Albini. With their location in the urban space and their inner organization and detail, Albini's architectural compositions provide a framework for temporal permanence. They also show his work in the 20th Century Croatian architectural production, and the contribution of his oeuvre to the general complexities and nuances of modernist architectural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among 65 existing historic squares in Zagreb, 25 have been selected for this analysis. They were formed until 1918 in the areas of Upper town, Kaptol, Central city area and some suburban villages. Based on the clearly defined selection criteria and methodology, this paper considers the origin and historical stratification of the squares according to the periods of their formation as well as their comparable urban features (their site, topography, size and area, forms and proportions, functional and traffic characteristics, equipment, vegetation, landscaping, architectural accents etc.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a survey on the economic development of Rijeka city in the late 19th century with emphasis on the need for a plan aimed at the regulation of the city development. Until then the building code was the only means of regulating construction activities. After several competitions had failed, Paolo Grassi developed in 1904 the Regulation plan of the city. It came into force in 1910 and was in operation until the late 1930s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a research into spatial development of Pitomaèa, a small town in Podravina, from the early 18th to the late 20th centuries. Six small size spatial entities gradually expanded and grew into the modern town as we know it today. The built fabric of the town nucleus stretches along the main road thus linking the surrounding streets and forming a recognizable star-shaped town plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents 108 development proposals for the Sava river and its banks in Zagreb between 1899 and 2010. The research reveals similar but also diverse concepts with regard to the relevant parameters: the planned use and function of Sava banks, the type of construction, traffic regulation features and landscape design. This analysis can be ground for further research on the evaluation and implementation of these proposals into a wider spatial and social context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents various elements and details in the burgs of continental Croatia used by their inhabitants in everyday life. Among these the best preserved ones are the elements carved out of stone and built in during construction. As the burgs developed between the 13th and 15th centuries, these elements and details were developed and improved as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is based on an empirical research with the aim of exploring the impact of construction stages on the functionality of Vrbani III and Spansko-Oranice housing estates. A questionnaire survey was used to gather opinions of the estates' inhabitants on urban features of the estates relating to their construction, ancillary and public facilities, pedestrian zones and parks and traffic. The research results show the causes for differences in the inhabitants' opinions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The islet of St. Mary in the centre of the Great Lake in the Mljet National Park presents not only a natural phenomenon but also a cultural and historical monument. The islet was settled in the 12th century by the Benedictines who left behind a monastery complex surrounded with cultivated landscape showing a harmonious relationship between architecture and nature. The paper examines historical, landscape, religious and symbolic aspects of the monastery and St. Mary's Islet with special attention given to the cloister garden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ancient Greek polis of Pharia (Pharos) was established in 385 BC on the site of the present Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. An antique grid system with dry stone wall boundaries has been discovered in the plain surrounding the polis. The research presented in the paper has shown that the dominant grid system of Pharia was, most probably, the third out of four centuriations. Traces of three grids are visible in the territory of the polis and the surrounding plain, whereas the traces of the fourth grid are noticeable only in the polis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number and quality of industrial architectural designs and accomplishments by architect Lavoslav Horvat have been unprecedented in Croatian architectural history. Their analysis and assessment thus contribute to the valuation of Croatian post-war architectural theory and practice. The Duro Dakovic factory of wagons, machines and bridges in Slavonski Brod, Dalmatinka factory of yarn and thread in Sinj and the TEZ light bulb factory in Zagreb are Horvat's three most significant works discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on city administration documents and professional literature the paper brings an overview of planning and development of Zagreb in 1945-52. According to the quality of architectural design and the development timeline it is possible to differentiate several city areas and two phases - 1945-46 and 1947-52. The greatest accomplishments of Croatian architecture in those periods were the Federal Yugoslav Government building in Belgrade and the buildings in the present Grada Vukovara Street. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a research on the Romanesque church of St Mary in Mljet whose results point to issues concerning interpretations of the church architecture and architectural sculpture, and stages in the construction of the belfries and vestibule. Special attention has been given to interpretation of architectural influences possibly causing links between the Mljet church and Romanesque monuments of the same period in the South Italian region of Apulia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Strmac-Šumetlica Children's Tuberculosis Sanatorium was built in 1928-56 on the south slopes of Psunj Mountain, north of Nova Gradiška. During longstanding construction stages of the complex, Zoja Dumengjić, Selimir Dumengjić and Ivo Geršić showed their respective architectural signatures in creating a functionally conceived and architecturally recognizable structure. The paper presents in detail the complex which has so far remained unknown to professionals and analyzes it in relation to its medicinal and curative aspects, contemporary architectural events, wider social importance and formal contribution of its architects. It also examines its reconstruction and conversion potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of an empirical research related to the transformation of the former barracks in Borongaj into a university campus. The aim of the research conducted on 156 students was to establish a basic structure of the examinees’ preferences in relation to spatial reconstruction of Borongaj Campus, and to detect optimal characteristics of the site from the point of view of its users. The conjoint analysis method was used for this purpose. Examinees had to evaluate the (un)acceptability of the six features presented to them. The results show the students cared mostly about the traffic organization within the campus and the location of public facilities. The general assessment was least affected by a possible relationship to the existing architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the application of the ‘dispersed hotel’ model on Pustijerna, a part of the historic centre of Dubrovnik, which offers a possibility of reversibility to the original state. The model relies on concession thus ensuring economic feasibility. After the concession period expires, buildings can be restored to their previous states and subjected to architectural and urban planning procedures which will give the final appearance to the historic part of town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents Ivo Radia’s residential and commercial building in 62 Domovinskog rata Street in Split through an analysis based on formal aspects, spatial concept and relationship between the building and landscape. Temporal and spatial contexts of the building, its position within the architect’s European oeuvre and comparison with typologically similar and concurrent European models reveal the existence of a creative method, origins of architectural themes Radia developed in his later designs and possible sources of his inspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks into a long history of the design and construction of the Church of Christ the King in Zagreb from the first Meštrovia’s concepts in 1922 and his second 1936 project to a series of projects worked out with the aim to complete its construction and reinterpret Meštrovia’s original concept including the winning entry of the 2008 competition designed by the architects Nemeth, Kelava and Petljak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Adriatic coast is undergoing chatlenging processes which entail the preservation of natural characteristics and vatues of the area and its uses for economic purposes, primarily tourism. The paper brings the analysed and assessed spatial plans of the tourist zones of Babin Kuk and Solaris which comprise the original, proposed and accepted plans, the present state and new spatial plans which would be the basis for further development of the zones. An analysis of determined spatial indicators points to the importance of spatial planning of tourist zones in the process which should in the most suitable manner bring into balance all the elements important for tourism development without endangering the area's characteristics on which the development is based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper, based on the archives research, presents Marijan Haberle's unreatized project for the Provinciatate of the Conventuat Franciscans in Sisak in 1943. Among Haberte's other works encompassing more than forty architecturat competition entries, this work from 1943 stands out as an exceptional example of urban and architectural design of a religious complex in the context of Croatian modern architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a selection of 40 categorized and analyzed projects and realizations between 1923-1941 designed by the architect Vladimir Sterk in the Zagreb area. The analysis shows clarity in plan composition, skillful application of various structural systems and permanent changes in the design including the insertion of classical elements into a clean facade surface and the interruption of a cubic body with classical forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The old Hajduk football field in Split and its extension towards Marjan hill is the only vacant lot in the town nucleus. An administrative planning procedure for its reuse is currently being prepared since public purpose areas are increasingly needed. This paper presents a study into its transformations and functions in the past as well as its present features as important factors in its future spatial conception taking into consideration its location surrounded by high-quality recent buildings on the fringe of the Veil Varo~ residential area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives an analysis of the historic doors in Dubrovnik as an important but neglected architectural element of the built heritage. More than a hundred doors have been analysed out of which three have been selected as a basis for a proposal of a methodology concerning documentation and analysis. Documentation of the doors is a prerequisite for conducting further scientific research, devising methods of protection and making comparative analyses of the doors from other east Adriatic coastal towns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]