Landscape and ecological valorisation in the context of protection and revitalisation of Hober forest park in Korčula, the Republic of Croatia

O nastanku gradskog parka Hober ima malo novijih radova koji se uglavnom temelje na prijepisima onih prijašnjih. Od vremena nastanka do danas prostor gradskog parka, danas i park-šume Hober, doživljava niz promjena uvjetovanih različitim društveno-ekonomskim i prirodnim okolnostima koje su se događale kroz povijest, a koje se događaju i danas. Prostor Hobera prolazi kroz različite razvojne faze, od prirodne šume iz koje nastaje preko gradskog parka koji se održava i njeguje, sve do razine zakonske zaštite u park-šumu. Godine 1969. je sukladno Odluci o proglašenju gradskog parka u Korčuli rezervatom prirodnog predjela, Hober zaštićen prema Zakonu o zaštiti prirode u kategoriji park-šuma. Nakon zakonske zaštite slijedi najveće njegovo zapuštanje. Gubitak identiteta gradskog parka i park-šume Hober događa se dugi niz godina kao posljedica nedostatka neophodnih mjera održavanja, uslijed širenja naselja i izostanka potreba i kulture građana, što uvjetuje njegovu degradaciju i gubitak kompozicijske osnove. Nedostatak istraživanja i naklonosti za obnovom i uređenjem ovog vrijednog prostora dovelo je zone ugroženosti sve do samih granica parka ali i unutar njega. Grad Korčula prepoznaje vrijednosti gradskog parka Hober koji traže adekvatnu valorizaciju i obnovu. Unatoč tomu, područje Hobera i gradskog parka ima značajnu biološko-ekološku, prostornu, estetsku, rekreacijsku i turističku važnost u kontekstu grada Korčule. Cilj je rada inventarizirati, analizirati i valorizirati postojeće stanje park-šume Hober i cjelokupnog prostora Hobera u odnosu na stanje kroz povijest i danas, te obrazložiti njegovu vrijednost i mogućnosti uređenja i obnove. Kroz istraživanja je obuhvaćeno prikupljanje postojeće arhivske građe, dokumentacije, kartografskih prikaza i katastarskih podloga vezanih za park. Kompleksno terensko istraživanje je obuhvaćalo i inventarizaciju te analizu postojećeg stanja parka, vrtno-arhitektonskih i biološko-ekoloških elemenata. Na osnovi provedenih istraživanja određena su područja prirodnog i kulturnog krajobraza na istraživanom području. Odabrani su kriteriji koji najcjelovitije prezentiraju istraživano područje. Definiranjem zajedničkih mjerila za određivanje krajobraznih vrijednosti za oba tipa krajobraza, njihova usporedba daje potpuni pregled vrijednosti i mogućeg vrednovanja svakog posebno i njihovu biološko-ekološku i socio-gospodarsku cjelovitost. Ocjene mjerila krajobraznih vrijednosti ujedno predstavljaju na određeni način njihovu osjetljivost na promjene i negativne utjecaje. Svrha dane klasifikacije i vrednovanja istraživanih krajobraza trebaju biti preporuke pomoću kojih se donose dugoročne strategije razvoja i korištenja. Uređenjem i obnovom parka treba naglasiti sve njegove vrijednosti koje se trebaju valorizirati u širem kontekstu Hobera. Dobiveni rezultati daju doprinos postizanja ravnoteže između zaštite i razvoja.The number of recent papers about the establishment of Hober City Park in Korčula is small and they are primarily based on copies of the previous papers. Since its inception, both the area of the City Park and currently also Hober Forest Park have seen a wide range of changes caused by different social and economic, as well as natural circumstances that occurred both throughout history and to date. The Hober area has passed through different development stages, from a natural forest from which it developed, through the city park that was maintained and cared for until it reached the level of legal protection in the Forest Park. In 1969, in accordance with the Decision on the Declaration of the City Park in Korčula a Natural Landscape Reserve, Hober was protected in accordance with Nature Protection Act in the Forest Park Category. After, legal protection was followed by its neglect. The loss of identity of the City Park and Hober Forest Park has been occurring for a large number of years as a consequence of a lack of the necessary maintenance measures, amid the expansion of the settlements and a lack both of the needs and culture of the citizens, which caused its degradation and the loss of its compositional basis. A lack of research and propensity towards renovation and landscaping of this valuable area resulted in an endangered zone both inside the park and to its very boundaries. The City of Korčula recognises the value of Hober City Park. Nevertheless, the areas of Hober and the City Park have a vital importance from the aspect of biology and ecology, as well as from spatial, aesthetic, recreational and tourism aspect in the context of the City of Korčula. The aim of this paper is to inventory, analyze and valorize the current state of the Hober park-forest and the entire Hober area in relation to its condition throughout history and nowadays and explain its value and the possibilities for landscaping and renovation. The research included the collection of the existing archival materials, documentation, cartographic images and cadastral databases linked with the Park. A complex field research also included making of an inventory and analysis of the pre-existing condition of the Park, as well as both of its garden and architectural components and its biological and ecological components. On the basis of the conducted research, there were determined areas of natural and cultural landscape in the researched area. The criteria that most comprehensively represent the research area was selected. By means of defining common criteria for determining the landscape values ​​for both types of landscapes, with their comparison we have a complete overview of the values ​​and possible evaluation of each one separately, and also of their biological-ecological and socio-economic integrity. In a certain way, estimates of landscape values ​​also represent their sensitivity to changes and negative impacts. The purpose of the given classification and evaluation of the researched landscapes should be the recommendations by means of which long-term strategies of development and usage are to be adopted. By the arrangement and renovation of the park it should be emphasized all of its values ​​that need to be valorised in the broader context of Hober. The obtained results on such a way, contribute to achievement of a balance between protection and development