Acta Scientiarum Polonorum

The quality of life, especially in cities, depends on properly shaped and organized space, adapted to specific
functions and needs of its users – regardless of times and design trends. Formerly named parks’ expertise,
today’s landscape architecture both grew on the basis of centuries-old tradition of gardens and parks planning.
In Poland, the precursor of higher education and training in this profession was the Warsaw University
of Life Sciences – SGGW with its head office in Warsaw, and finally in Ursynów – in the former eighteenthcentury
estate of Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, called Rozkosz. That is how the so-called Ursynów School of
Landscape Architecture appeared. The academic profile was shaped by several generations of eminent landscape
architects who contributed to the development of landscape architecture both at WULS-SGGW and in
general in Poland. These undisputed personalities left behind a number of excellent realizations representing
the highest standards of design. These facilities still function, effectively enriching the landscape and urban
natural systems. Numerous theoretical studies of their authorship are the foundation for further investigation
within the discipline of landscape architecture. This article as a first part of a paper about Polish landscape
architects presents: Franciszek Krzywda-Polkowski – a founder of the landscape architecture study programme
at WULS-SGGW and a designer of park in Żelazowa Wola; Alfons Zielonko – an effective advocate
of locating the head office of WULS-SGGW in Ursynów; Zygmunt Hellwig – a designer of Warsaw parks
and an outstanding plants expert; Alina Scholtz – the world-famous co-founder of the International Federation
of Landscape Architects (IFLA). This publication is aimed at presenting the individualities of the Polish
landscape architecture seniors, so that through the prism of their activities, the specificity and character of the
so-called Ursynów School of Landscape Architecture can be shown. The studies and analyses are based on
a broad review of literature, design projects and field studies in selected parks.