Layered Morphology of Gdansk: Past, Present and Future.

Saira Abbasi; Nirmiti Sutar; Małgorzata Kostrzewska; Łukasz Bugalski; Justyna Martyniuk-Pęczek

Layered Morphology of Gdansk: Past, Present and Future.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the urban fabric and form of the city of Gdańsk based on the Muratorian and Italian school of urban morphology, to deepen the understanding of the morphological process of the urban fabric. It can be seen that the urban fabric of the city is a juxtaposition of all these layers, and based on Muratori’s approach these are indicative of not just the past, present but also the future. The study sample is of the oldest areas of Gdansk that are identified to be dated from 10th to 16th Century and is known as Stare Miasto meaning Old Town. Analysis is based on the study of existing literature, historical archives, cartography and maps. It is seen that the surroundings of the Gdansk city center have changed, and a number of elements that were destroyed were not reconstructed. Minor shifting of matrix routes and development of new poles and nodes are visible, but the primary formation of matrix route visible from the 16th Century remains constant. The research identifies that the nodes, as well as, the edges of the historic city play an integral part in the shaping the urban tissue and form. Furthermore, the river and its shape act as edges as well, and the changes in the shape of the river influence the shape of the urban form.