As we acquire a better understanding of the role of leisure in our lives, the importance of using it intelligently becomes increasingly obvious. Future societies cannot rely exclusively on the shopping center to provide the citizens with a rewarding use of time, without adding to the levels of frustration and despair. In "Promenades",the authors have chosen the most interesting, and often controversial examples of interaction between architects and the natural or urban environments that are the object of their work. The result is a comprehensive selection of recent projects that exemplify the exciting contrasts that obtain in this specialized field.

As a significant item in contemporary town planning, the promenade demands a case study of its most successful examples. A place for people to see and be seen,the promenade is the meeting place where a society's identity is constantly reaffirmed. Omission of this in some urban areas has underlined the need for other public areas besides gas stations. Thus, a deeply rooted urban tradition, cutting-edge contemporary planning and environmental concerns meet in a thrilling new field of design. Thoroughly documented with large, full color photographs, plans, sketches and explanatory texts provided by the contributing architects, this book answers to the need of professionals or laymen seeking up-to-date knowledge regarding themanagement of public space in the city.

Carl-Viggo Hlmebakk

Viewpoint platform, Sohlbergplassen

David Chipperfield + Fermin Vazquez/

b720 Arquitectos

Teruel urban development

Durbach Block Architects &

Sue Barnsley Design

The Brick Pit Ring

Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Italo Rota

Mare Verde

Mcgregor+Partners

Former BP Park

Arcadus sprl

Promenoir des cimes

Isthmus Group

Oriental Bay

Christiane Hervet, Jean-Paul Djalili &

Raphael Van Der Beken

Reconstruction of the Jaulnes Lock

Haslov & Kjaersgaard

Amager Beach

3RW arkitekter &

Smedsvig landskapsarkitekter

Geiranger Tourist Route

White arkitekter a/s

Kastrup Sea Bath

Mario Schjetnan

Union Point Park

Nikola BaSiC

Sea Organ Zadar

Atelier Loidl

Bruckenpark Mungsten

noncon:form & MAGK synn

Visitors Centre National Parc Danube

Daniel Monteiro

Cromlech of Xerez

Pierre Lafon

Promenades in the banks of Vilaine in

Redon

MVCC, Merces Vieira, Camilo Cortesao

Arquitectos, Lda.

Parque Verde do Mondego