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Another important aspect is the appearance of the landscape of the Elbe river bend
from the perspective of a moving viewer. The landscape of the Elbe river bend between
Loschwitz Bridge and Albert Bridge has special topographical qualities that provide
continuously changing perspectives depending on the viewer‘s position. Continuously
changing visual relationships are also obtained of the landscape of the Elbe floodplains
and the adjoining landmarks. This visual effect is primarily created by the distinctive bend
in the river and the simultaneous widening of the floodplain. In this way, pedestrians
or cyclist going along the cycling/walking paths on the banks of the river, and ramblers
on the meadow paths are continuously presented with new spatial impressions. Similar
impressions arise when travelling on a steamboat or driving along Käthe-Kollwitz-Ufer,
especially in a westward direction. The viewer is offered “dynamic perspectives“ with
ever-changing spatial progressions that can be perceived at different speeds depending
on the type and means of locomotion.
3.5 Conclusion
An exceptional standard of artistic urban development and architectural heritage can be
clearly demonstrated in the urban development of the Elbe river bend region between
Albert Bridge and Loschwitz Bridge. This is evidenced by the planned and staged inter-
action between the urban and the natural landscape. Since the Elbe floodplains remain
undeveloped to this day, they can be perceived as an integrated landscape which toge-
ther with the surrounding areas offers diverse scenic experiences right in the heart of the
city.
The wide Elbe meadows in the area studied form an almost unobstructed floodplain area
with only a smattering of trees. As a result, the meadows give a feeling of scenic expanse
which is totally unique in a large city centre. The river bend configuration reinforces
this impression. By intentionally keeping the Elbe meadows free of development, visual
relationships from many points of elevation have also been retained as much as possible.
Throughout history, appropriate legal and planning regulations for buildings were imple-
mented to protect the meadows from development.
Since the beginning of the 19th century, a number of lookout points and popular
destinations have been created to showcase the attractive landscape and the view of
the Elbe river in the area studied. These locations offer an extraordinary view of the city
skyline, the Frauenkirche (Dresden‘s restored landmark) and the landscape of the Elbe
valley. Other lookout points on the Elbe floodplains serve to set up visual relationships
between the individual sections of the Elbe river bend. Most of these lookout points offer
views of structural landmarks or prominent features of the landscape. These specially
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