**4.1 Terraced villages**

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public spaces.

**Figure 14.**

**Figure 13.**

surrounding cemetery.

fountain (**Figure 14**).

*Comparison of the area of Ktiš at the beginning of the twentieth century and today.*

*Historical and contemporary map of Ktiš (Prachatice district).*

virtually no common land in the form of common pastures, grasslands or orchards. Similar to the village of Nebahovy, there was a village pond in the upper part of the village green, which formed the centre of the northern part of the village public areas, while the centre of the southern part was a naturally elevated church with the

Also in this village, public spaces underwent a significant change during the second half of the last century, which included drying the village water reservoir in the northern part of the village square and adding municipal buildings in the close vicinity of the southern part of the village square. In the northern part of the square, the building in the neighborhood of the pond was transformed into a municipal office and a mixed goods store was built on the site of the former water reservoir. In the southern part of the square, there was a cultural house. A new natural centre of public space was the area of public greenery in front of the culture house and church, complemented by a memorial to the victims of the war and a

The municipality also has public areas designated for transport services and for the collection of sorted waste. However, what the village lacks is a larger area for sports and children's enjoyment. Despite its undeniable importance, the municipality does not pay as much attention to its public space as it deserves. The reason may be the low tourist interest in this location, which does not force the municipality to invest more money into the adjustment and expansion of

Terraced villages are the most widespread in this category. These are characterized by one or two rows of houses along a path or stream, mostly in mountain terrain, also known as forest field villages or field villages. These villages are typical for the period of great colonization since the thirteenth century and occur mostly in mountain areas in the border areas of the Republic. Unfortunately, very few of these villages have survived to this day, due to extinction in the second half of the last century, mostly after the displacement of the majority German population. However, some typical representatives can be found that have been preserved either in their original extent or at least partially.

For the purposes of this publication, the municipalities of Dlouhá Stropnice (district of České Budějovice), Chlupatá Ves (district of České Budějovice) or Jenín (district of Český Krumlov) were analyzed. A typical feature of these municipalities was the absence of a significant public space that would serve as a village square. Most of the municipalities used only common land in the central part, usually formed by the floodplain of the brook or around the local road, which formed the axis of the settlement.

The village of Dlouhá Stropnice (**Figure 15**) is a typical colonization village from the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Individual farmsteads were built on the first river terrace, which allowed the middle of the river meanders to lead not only communication but also to create a large number of common lands serving as pasture and forage source for farm animals of individual farmers. The village did not own any other land in the area and did not create any other public spaces.

The village has practically no public space, which could be used by more than 60 permanent residents and tourists, for whom the location is increasingly attractive. Of course, as in all other municipalities, waste collection bins, a sheltered public

transport stop and a public message board can be found in publicly accessible places. The vast plots of the floodplain with green vegetation are not maintained today and are only a landscape feature in the middle of the village.

Similarly, there is another of the analyzed municipalities, namely the village of Chlupatá Ves (**Figure 16**), which lies near the previous settlement. Furry Village is also a typical German colonization village from the end of the fourteenth century. The settlement had practically the same features as the previous village of Dlouhá Stropnice and was characterized by a large valley floodplain in the middle of the village serving as a pasture area. Unlike Dlouhá Stropnice, the current situation is somewhat different.

Although the village also does not show any large public spaces with significant equipment in the form of furniture, playground, etc., common areas between the individual farms are in good condition and the floodplain is maintained as a large mowed grassland, despite the fact that the village today has only six permanent residents and is also a party of attractive tourist routes.

This shows that the interest of local residents, whether permanent or holidaymakers, who often take over the care of public areas in their own places, is also a significant factor in the state of public spaces (**Figure 17**).

The last analyzed municipality is the settlement Jenín (**Figure 18**). As in previous cases, it is also a village from the time of great colonization, founded in the fourteenth century exclusively by German colonists. The village was spread on both sides of the Jenínský creek, in whose valley floodplain was a road and municipal pastures, making up the.

Individual farmhouses were again located on the first terrace above the stream to protect them from the onslaught of large water. A primary school was also located among the farms. It is practically the only public building in the centre of the village. This village again largely disappeared in the second half of the last century after the expulsion of the German population, and currently, 30 people are still living here. In the village there, was in 2007 a new tourist site under the name "Cyklostanice Jenín" (**Figure 19**).

It is an accommodation and catering facility that not only makes extensive use of the facilities of former farm and residential buildings but also of former municipal

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**Figure 19.**

*Example of the area around Cyklostanice Jenín.*

public spaces. Since the establishment of this facility, there has been a significant shift in the care of land forming the centre of the former municipality. The land is partly used again as a grazing area for small farm animals (sheep, goats, donkey, llamas, etc.) but also sports grounds, a fish pond and a playground were created.

*Historical and contemporary map of the village Jenín (district Český Krumlov).*

*Comparison of the area of the village Chlupatá Ves at the beginning of the twentieth century and today.*

*The Role of Public Spaces in Small Municipality DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89881*

**Figure 17.**

**Figure 18.**

*The Role of Public Spaces in Small Municipality DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89881*

#### **Figure 17.**

*Sustainability in Urban Planning and Design*

somewhat different.

pastures, making up the.

"Cyklostanice Jenín" (**Figure 19**).

transport stop and a public message board can be found in publicly accessible places. The vast plots of the floodplain with green vegetation are not maintained

Similarly, there is another of the analyzed municipalities, namely the village of Chlupatá Ves (**Figure 16**), which lies near the previous settlement. Furry Village is also a typical German colonization village from the end of the fourteenth century. The settlement had practically the same features as the previous village of Dlouhá Stropnice and was characterized by a large valley floodplain in the middle of the village serving as a pasture area. Unlike Dlouhá Stropnice, the current situation is

Although the village also does not show any large public spaces with significant equipment in the form of furniture, playground, etc., common areas between the individual farms are in good condition and the floodplain is maintained as a large mowed grassland, despite the fact that the village today has only six permanent

This shows that the interest of local residents, whether permanent or holidaymakers, who often take over the care of public areas in their own places, is also a

The last analyzed municipality is the settlement Jenín (**Figure 18**). As in previous cases, it is also a village from the time of great colonization, founded in the fourteenth century exclusively by German colonists. The village was spread on both sides of the Jenínský creek, in whose valley floodplain was a road and municipal

Individual farmhouses were again located on the first terrace above the stream

It is an accommodation and catering facility that not only makes extensive use of the facilities of former farm and residential buildings but also of former municipal

to protect them from the onslaught of large water. A primary school was also located among the farms. It is practically the only public building in the centre of the village. This village again largely disappeared in the second half of the last century after the expulsion of the German population, and currently, 30 people are still living here. In the village there, was in 2007 a new tourist site under the name

*Historical and contemporary map of the village of Chlupatá Ves (district České Budějovice).*

today and are only a landscape feature in the middle of the village.

residents and is also a party of attractive tourist routes.

significant factor in the state of public spaces (**Figure 17**).

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**Figure 16.**

*Comparison of the area of the village Chlupatá Ves at the beginning of the twentieth century and today.*

#### **Figure 18.**

*Historical and contemporary map of the village Jenín (district Český Krumlov).*

#### **Figure 19.** *Example of the area around Cyklostanice Jenín.*

public spaces. Since the establishment of this facility, there has been a significant shift in the care of land forming the centre of the former municipality. The land is partly used again as a grazing area for small farm animals (sheep, goats, donkey, llamas, etc.) but also sports grounds, a fish pond and a playground were created.

Due to the increasing interest of tourists, as well as locals and holidaymakers, the areas representing the village have undergone a significant change. Of course, well-kept ornamental foliage and suitably built-in elements of the technical infrastructure, including containers for sorted waste, as well as minor elements of sacral architecture and historical landmarks, have become a natural part of public spaces. In recent years, even public roads have been reconstructed, which until recently were the only significant defect in the appearance of public spaces due to their poor technical condition.
