This paper brings up elementary problems related to the creation of friendly public spaces in residential complexes as the main places of social integration. Contemporary social transformations are reflected in a new, intensified usage of public spaces which – offering more and more possibilities of satisfying human needs in the field of social contact, knowledge, recreation, stimulation etc. – provoke people and their activities to transfer “life” from a private space to a public space.

Identity in a housing environment is one of its resources as valuable as its water, air, flora and fauna. The readability of identity should be the basic factor of the quality of architecture and landscape architecture recognizable as a significant resource. It is an important factor which influences the living standard of people who inhabit a given space from a psychological, social and cultural point of view. In order to care for identity, we must be aware of it, of its role and significance in our lives and residence in a given environment. Man must understand the phenomenon of the meaning of life with respect to its space as his place in the world. When we understand the all-embracing rhythm and taste of the life of a place of residence, we will comprehend life itself.

This paper is intended as a contribution to broader considerations and discussions on the still overlooked issues of garrison landscape architecture, its canon – the essence of the place, its identity. Thus far, the issues of garrison space, its attributes – architecture, elements of development and organised greenery – have been beyond the mainstream of scientific deliberations and constituted a peculiar taboo for various reasons and due to specific transition points in history. Being both closed areas and, after the end of their military functions, post-military ones, they are particularly suitable for playing a significant role in urban relations of inner-city areas and their contemporary conservation creations. In the referenced designs and executions, they can provide examples of development directions that take into account their previous military identity – the spirit of the place.

Applying the commonly accepted definitions of identity to landscape as our field of research, in particular landscape in protected areas, we assume that identity is the deepest relationship with the landscape (surroundings) perceived by man, with its historical layers of content (the culture and tradition of a place) and form (the canon of a place). An evaluation of change in time should be the keynote of deliberations on place identity. Basing on the current status of research, a review of specialist literature and the author’s experience to date, the above definitions and terms may be referenced to talk about “former” and “new” place identity, especially if we acquiesce to what is termed “the culture of a place” that originates in love for it and willingness to participate in the act of creation that has been launched upon the site. Author tries to explain this fenomenom on example of revitalization, on scale of conntry or even the Europe – the cultural – strategic landscape od Zamość Fortress.

Many contemporary technical elements (such as railings, light switches, power sockets, security cameras, etc.) have a very different aesthetic from the historical interiors to which they are added. Their placement in historical architectural interiors raises the question of their visibility and their power to disrupt the visual unity of an indoor space. Using logical argumentation and knowledge from the psychology of perception, a phenomenon from the discipline of architecture — the phenomenon of the perception of these elements — was analysed. Logical analysis showed that these additions do not disturb the harmony of the interior and that it does not lose its historical character. The conclusion is that their presence in the field of vision is not a radical interference with the monument.