In the article the author acquaints the readers with a number of renovated nineteenth-century market halls, that are located in Barcelona, as well as the Markthal, a new and large market hall opened in Rotterdam in 2014. Avant-garde contemporary designs were presented, demonstrating the philosophy of introducing new shapes into a historical environment different for each architect. Apart from the predominant function of selling foodstuffs from practically all over the world, market halls are places, that are proof of the individuality and local traditions of every European city.

The aim of the work is to present one of the most important structures of the last decade — the European Central Bank in Frankfurt am Main, against the background of the role which a sustainable skyscraper can play in the urban composition of a modern city. A literature query and original in situ research show that from the beginning of the 20th century, skyscrapers have become a symbol of the success and importance of cities and metropolises. At the same time, most of the historic skylines of European cities were saved from ‘Manhattanization’. One of the exceptions is Frankfurt, the financial capital of the EU. This paper discusses the construction of the ECB building, both as another important landmark in the city’s urban composition and as an innovative, sustainable structure. The results show that the location of an important high-rise building with a prestigious function in the urban structure confirms the city’s status. At the same time, it was proved that the technological and formal solutions used in the complex, together with the reuse of the built structure (recycling of architecture), may contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint and maintaining high environmental standards.

Rapid urban development in the second half of the 20th century led to increasingly urbanized structures. As a result, industrial areas that were previously located on the periphery have found themselves in the inner city areas, contributing to the deterioration of the environmental quality and the attractiveness of these areas. Their closure requires the revitalization of decayed areas. The aim of this paper is to present parks built in post-industrial areas in the context of the need to preserve the post-industrial heritage and place-based identity, and to improve the environmental and climatic values of cities. The study’s methodology consists of literature studies, in-situ field research and the use of geo-information systems. Based on an analysis and a detailed comparative study of selected projects carried out in Paris, Barcelona and Turin over the last forty years, the authors demonstrated that brownfield sites are transformed into green parks for leisure and recreation, forming part of the green-blue infrastructure of cities. They improve the environmental conditions of congested city centres, which is particularly important in the face of rapid climate change. The use of decayed brownfield sites for the redevelopment of high and medium-height greenery can help to reduce the urban heat island effect and air pollution. The struggle for a clean environment can be fought using natural structures, with greenery in parks and gardens becoming a tool for improving the climate and increasing urban water retention.