Rehabilitation of Soil through Botanical Gardens as a Practical Interplay Between Learning Spaces and Healthy Places in Urban Environments

Abstract

Soils are the primary carriers of heavy metals released into the environment by many different anthropogenic activities. Unlike organic pollutants, which are oxidized, most metals do not undergo microbial or chemical degradation, and their concentration in the soil continues for a long time. Increasing social awareness of the need to adequately address mineral waste to protect the environment has led to increased research in this area. Contemporary trends and the development of technology have revealed numerous methods of cleaning these degraded lands and what would best serve such an area. Based on centuries of historical development, botanic gardens have developed globally leading conservation, research, education, and recreation institutions. Botanic gardens increasingly provide a scientific basis for sustainable use and protection of plant diversity. This research aims to analyze the methods of treatment of these areas, then give a proposal which, in addition to solving a severe problem of this municipality, will become a research and study area for students of various fields related to botany. The investigation line is constructed on: analysis, field research, literature review, data provided by the municipality of Gracanica, interviews, and online surveys. Through this research, we will understand user expectations, spatial preferences, and the intended purpose of the Kosovo Botanical Garden and will convey them through the proposal into a functional concept and present new solutions, modern and practical, in this facility.