The landscape recomposition of the Festung Krakau - a new approach based on Airborne Laser Scanning point cloud processing and GIS spatial analyses

The landscape is a key resource of a fortified area, with camouflage greenery being an important element. Understanding of a historic fortification system in its entirety and the associated cultural and environmental heritage is the main argument calling for the necessity of having an interdisciplinary approach to the research of historic fortification greenery and the landscapes of historic fortifications. The enormous area of the sites, the techniques that went into designing them based on an analysis of the topographical landscape and the scope of the changes made to the landscape demonstrate the advanced level of military engineering that went into creating this structured greenery, the remains of which have amazingly survived to the present. The composed arrangements of fortress greenery are a valuable part of the natural environment, would guarantee that endangered species of flora and fauna are preserved in the environment. The contemporary role of fortress greenery is to serve as the foundation for consolidating or renovating areas on the outskirts of the city that were part of the former fortification landscape. This is also a guideline for the modern use of the imitative method in connection with undesirable areas in the landscape. With Airborne Laser Scanning data this study identifies forms of fortifications, visualizes data and analyzes visibility to project recomposition of landscape of III Fortified Sector of Festung Krakau. ALS data are new form of geospatial data useful for landscape architects. These data gives new means to protect and revitalize cultural landscape. Study discuses possibilities of adaptation and modernization of fortification based on landscape conservation theory and project practice.Possibility of using III Fortified Sector of the Festung Krakau for recreational and didactic purposes is proposed. Project based on visibility analysis and historical materials show way to restore compositional values of landscape with fortifications. Analysis 3D GIS showed high usefulness to identify fortification, visualization of these objects and performance analysis visibility. In contrast to traditional methods (inventories and historical documentation), data from laser scanning are the new generation of geospatial data. They offer an opportunity to develop a new, faster technology used in the restoration, preservation and inventory of military architecture.