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Copyright of Soter: Journal of Religious Science / Religijos Mokslo Žurnalas is the property of Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Theology-Philosophy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Logos: A Journal, of Religion, Philosophy Comparative Cultural Studies & Art (08687692) is the property of Logos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Geography & Education: Science Almanac / Geografija ir Edukacija: Mokslo Almanachas is the property of Lithuanian Geographical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Lituanistica is the property of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Geografija is the property of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper analyses the layers of Vilnius identity revealed in the city atlas of Braun-H ogenberg. The information of the text and graphical figures is reviewed through a certain model of the structure of identity. Attempts are made to find natural (relief, waters, flora), cultural (political, economic, social, etnical-confessional) and anthropogenical (urban, architectural) peculiarities of Vilnius city, rendered in the atlas, and compare it with the other cities from the same source. The paper reveals the peculiarities of urban situation, the types and morfology of buildup, city poly-central character and features of capital city, characterization of citizenry as well as inaccuracies on confessional balance, network of streets, size of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Environmental Engineering & Landscape Management is the property of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Monetary Studies (Bank of Lithuania) is the property of Bank of Lithuania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper discusses the concepts of urban identity and urban peculiarity. Stress is laid on their relational nature, in the first instance, the paper briefly considers the main layers forming urban identity. They are identifyed as layers of urban units and their interconnections; of symbols, meanings, and narrations; of urban life forms and of urban units' relationship with surrounding landscape. The old town is considered as a core structure sustaining and forming not only urban identity, but also urban peculiarity features. Thus, it is claimed that the core structure provides material for producing city's image attractive to global tourism industry and foreign investors. New mass construction and renovation are examined with respect to how they strengthen or weeken urban identity leyers and features and how they help to bring into play the cultural urban heritage necessary for the development of urban economy and communication networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of city's cultural function is discussed in the paper. Different methodological premises modelling the concept contours are considered. The paper discusses three problematic aspects of contemporary urban design: alternations of the city concept, the shopping phenomenon and the dimension of attraction. Factors and strategies, such as urban regeneration, creative industries and public space architecture, ensuring efficient urban structure development, are analysed. On the basis of the principles of monadology the nomenclature of object elements is proposed, and conclusions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Filosofija, Sociologija is the property of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper deals with the major urbanization processes and the related interpretations of urbanistics in Lithuania over the last 50 years. The first three decades saw a jump in the level of urbanization, inspired by the advanced idea of the equal development of country and city system. This was an exception as urbanistics in the command economy did not exist, its place was occupied by norms and regulations. The trends of urbanization are ambivalent in the later years with the general level decreasing, however, the attractiveness of three (out of five) city regions in the suburban zone saw an increase. The nominal freedom of urbanistic principles does not correlate with the problems of urbanistics or with the problems emerging in the market. Urbanistics as a concept, as an aggregate of principles and methods De Jure does not exist. It lies in the contradictory concept of territorial planning. The three laws on territorial planning lack a logical sequence, each one is leading in a different direction. Therefore, no base for urban planning has been created during the last two decades. The article suggests some fundamental steps that could lead to the creation of a modern urban planning system. However, the major obstacle to this lies with political ignorance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science: Future of Lithuania / Mokslas: Lietuvos Ateitis is the property of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article analyzes and summarizes the attributes of a sustainable city and discusses the issues of urban economic, social and environmental sustainability. The paper examines how changes in sustainability indicators can affect the choice of city population and lifestyle. A theoretical model of a sustainable city is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the architectural originality of Vilnius old town with the main focus on the facade composition. More detailed analyses of street facades are performed by the aspects of rhythm and scale, also paying attention to different characteristics of the main (Pilis and Trakai) and secondary (St. Mykolas and Literatai) streets. As the main aim of this study is to assess the influence of new elements and other changes on the originality of the old town, the transformation facts were identified that appeared during the recent thirty years. Finally, these changes were evaluated according to their correlation with the originality of the old town of Vilnius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses several issues related to the formation of new Lithuanian urban practice and theory in the rapidly developing urban environment. Resulting urban mutations and urban implications with problematic areas of contemporary cities are discussed. The authors identify the issues of undetermined and officially unacknowledged aspects and consequences, such as urban mutations, transformations and urban blight, by the inflexible Lithuanian urban planning system. The issue of inertia, lack of ability to adapt to a rapidly changing need of urban, economic fluctuations, and social change of organized development and planning are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remains of the fortifications of Kaunas Fortress represent nonutilized urban and architectural potential at various levels of Kaunas cityscape. Single fortifications and the whole Kaunas Fortress as a system are analysed in the paper within the context of Kaunas cityscape. Analysis is made from the following points of view: urban frame, natural frame, mental city image and four types of cultural symbols of the cityscape-text. Principal suggestions for utilization of the system of former fortifications in Kaunas are presented. The work could serve as a methodological example for similar investigations in other fortresses within urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the main architectural competitions of the soviet period (1945-1990) in Lithuania. Referring to particular examples, efforts are made to identify development regularities of competitions at different stages of the soviet period, find out a relationship with the general architectural situation, discuss changes, to make a comparison with competitions of other historical epochs as well as to define their influence on the architecture and architects in Lithuania of that time. Peculiarities of competitions related to urbanistic projects, buildings and monuments representing both the early and "mature" socialism are introduced. Without attempting to list and examine in detail each creative competition of this era, efforts are made to perceive the essential principles of the very competition system of the soviet period. Problematicity related to "dead" projects, non-transparency of competitions and disregard of copyright typical to the Soviet times are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses urgent problems of urban heritage assesment and treatment in Lithuania today. Contradictions in the system of listing, lack of fundamental investigations, indeterminate responsibility of authorities, inadequate role of local communities are revealed as the basic factors of low efficiency of urban heritage preservation. The most efficient means of urban heritage preservation are revealed in protected national and regional parks. Historic towns and villages of these areas remain more authentic than registered urban heritage sites in the other territories of Lithuania. The initiative of local administrations could also be considered as one of the most important factors in urban heritage preservation. Scandinavian experience in the protection of urban heritage reveals the importance of local inhabitants in the processes of historic town preservation. Recent international documents on cultural heritage protection and changes in the Lithuanian urban planning system enable perfection of urban heritage preservation. The launched reimbursement of expenses for restoration works in Lithuania shows positive changes in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public rights of access to engage in recreational activities in open non-urbanized countryside in Lithuania, Scandinavia and UK are analysed in this paper. Currently there is no universal public right of access in Lithuania. On the other hand, there is no strict prohibition to walk or stay in open countryside as well. But public rights of access to the Lithuanian countryside are more and more undermined as privatization of land, forests and water is going on and land owners try to fence their properties. The present Lithuanian legal basis that regulates public access to countryside is evaluated. Foreign experience in this field is reviewed. Scandinavian countries and Scotland adopted universal everyman's right. On the other side, public rights are very limited in England and Whales. Summarizing these different approaches and current situation in Lithuania proposals on implementing the public right of access in the Lithuanian legislature are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is dedicated to urban night lighting analysis. Till nowadays the meaning of urban night lighting which forms the visual urban identity wasn't a research object. Urban lighting has both social and economic benefit, that is why in many cases the city is illuminated, but quite spontaneous together with the process of energetic economics evolution. The artistic value of urban night lighting is still not discovered in Lithuania. The aesthetics of illuminated streets, pedestrian areas, squares, plants, monuments and exclusive architectural objects, which form urban night scenery, is still not valued and, fortunately, it has substantial future vista. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the reasons for which city cemeteries began to be set up in 19th century Europe. Stories of the creation of the most famous French, English, German, and Italian cemeteries are recounted highlighting their respective characters and originality. The chapter on the tombstones of the time gives an overview of more interesting tombstone types, and some of their most characteristic stylistic features are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of city's cultural function (CF) is discussed in the paper. The author analyses the question of CF nominal values and their system. Cultural potential and its forms of expression in an urban sructure are evaluated on the basis of this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive planning of towns and townships takes a wider scale in the country. Therefore, there appears an urgent need to revise or review some conceptions of planning methodology that should be accepted after various alternatives consideration. According to our opinion, a) classification of centres of a settlement system (towns and townships) requires self-determination and equal understanding which, from one side, should reflect more precisely the existing diversity of development between the centres and their functions and, from the other side, the rank granted to these centres should meet the EU criteria; b) the functional structure of towns and townships, reflected by diversity in the purpose of their territory use and its indefinite character during the process of residential area modernization which takes place under market conditions, forces to give upa detailed setting of plot purpose and look for a more universal model of land-use purpose specification which could be applicable not only for planning of rural agricultural territories but for urban planning of residential areas as well. Proposals presented in the paper (Tables 1 and 2) respect the systematic conception of settlement network, accepted in Lithuania and in the other EU countries and based on the hierarchy of elements and development dependency allowing application of sustainability and balance principles for the system element development. They are prepared taking into account new urban planning conceptions and reflecting the following factors: • changing business and production conditions as well as growing qualitative safety, service and ecological requirements for a residential environment; • increasing importance of economic factors and resulting need for a more rational land use and broader urban internal integration when developing public transportation and urban system for a common space use; • respect to stable urban structural elements of residential areas (urban framework) as well as to local cultural identity and historically formed compositional peculiarities; • advantages of the functional and social diversity and polycentric character of urban structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The questions of classification of urban green areas are discussed in the paper. Both the former and contemporary classifications are described; their weak and strong points are analyzed. On the basis of the mentioned analysis the new suggestions arc presented for improving urban greenery classification corresponding to the legal basis of territory planning. Necessity to prepare legal acts regulating urban greenery planning is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of former manors in urban structure is discussed in the paper. Factors determining the influence of manors on surrounding areas are described. Types of manor site location in an urban area are defined. The influence of each type on the development and peculiarities of the morphological urban structure is analysed. Typical historic and contemporary examples of manors' integration into urban environment are described. A destructive influence of urbanization on the structures of agricultural environment is pointed out. It is very important that these agricultural structures can enrich urban environment with water bodies, greenery, architectural heritage, etc. The final aim of the work is to establish the importance of manor sites for both a qualitative urban development and the identity of urban landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inevitability of combining the potential of the two greatest Lithuanian cities of Vilnius and Kaunas as the main „vertebra“ of the country's demographic and urban backbone was declared in the Master Plan of Lithuanian Territory Development adopted by the Seimas (Parliament) in the autumn of 2001. This qualitatively new approach on urban development is based on the teoretical and practical experience of modem world' s metropolitan areas. A survey of numerous statistic data, concerning existing situation in urban, life quality, economic and intellectual development of municipalities belonging to the territory of the above dipolis, is presented in the paper. Some of them are compared with the official data of the European Union. The author's emphasis is put on the inequalities of comprehensive development in various parts of this new combined urban unit. Inclusion of adjacent municipalities into the dipolis is one of the main preconditions of not only equalizing their situation but also improving in this way the development of the entire country, especially of its eastern part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An idea of the dipolis of Vilnius and Kaunas formation is under discussion in the paper with the aim to establish both a metropolitan and recognized centre on an international scale. The first step is completed, i e a strategic plan of the dipolis is prepared following the initiative of both cities' municipalities. This plan is contradictory and controversial. The objective is declared for the first time in order to form a system of factors which could turn the existing polycentric network of the Lithuanian cities to another direction, i e to the concentration of social, economic and demographical potentials. It is not acceptable because it will expand the existing gap of Vilnius and Kaunas from the periphery and reduce the viability of the whole Lithuanian urban system. There is no basis for a bipolar urban structure formation. The potential development in the case of big cities and their non-formal regions do not overlap, the internal links are weak, and there are no indications of linear urban network formation. The progress of the whole Lithuanian urban system due to a low density of population as well as growing emigration should not be interdependent with an artificial development of both the metropolitan and regional physical structures. The idea of the dipolis of Vilnius and Kaunas formation should be assessed as a symbol of the inner cities' co-operation which is under particular shortage. Development of high-speed communication and information technologies as well as integration processes should serve for the above mentioned purpose by evaluating subjects of non-reducing competition of the cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the information about Kaunas and other towns of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 17th century on the basis of cosmographic, travellers' memoirs and the information presented by a popular French newspaper „La Gazette‟. The first part of the article gives information about the most frequently visited and described Lithuania's regions. The second part explains how Kaunas' geographical situation was perceived by foreigners and how differently the city's name was used by them. The majority of travellers who came to Lithuania from Krakow, Warsaw, etc. aimed to visit Vilnius. Consequently, this place got most attention while other cities and towns of the Grand Duchy were scarcely mentioned. Nevertheless, we came across some descriptions concerning Gròdnò, dated by the end of 17th century, when joint Seymsofthe Republic usedto meetaswell asTrakai and Tartar villages round Vilnius. Therefore the readers could have formed the impression that Lithuania was mainly inhabitated by Tartars, and there were only few towns, i.e. Vilnius, Trakai and Gròdnó. Though some authors named Gródnò as one of the most beautiful cities in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the prevailing opinion was that it was a miserable place not suitable for the joint meetings of the Polish-Lithuanian Seyms. All other places and regions, which were far away from the main road leading from Polish capitals to Vilnius, were not mentioned. Kaunas, which was relatively far away from Gródnò-Vilnius road, was not an exception. Despite the fact that this city, situated alongside two main Lithuania's rivers, was an important economic centre, it was little known to Western Europe. Most often it was mentioned that it is situated on the confluence of two rivers - Nemunas and Neris. Throughout the whole 17th century it was called differently by Western authors, e.g. „Lawna‟ or „Kiow‟. There was not even a clear understanding to which administrative-political unit it belonged. Though in the majority of cases Kaunas was mentioned as belonging to Trakai voivode district, some authors attributed it to Samogitia (Lowland Lithuania). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]