Praxis Seminar Series 2025-26: Session 11

Moirika Reker

Praxis-CFUL

Urban fruits: The (public) orchard as a bridge to the landscape

24 February 2026, 17:15 (Lisbon Time — GMT+0)

Sala Mattos Romão (Room C201.J – Department of Philosophy)

School of Arts and Humanities – University of Lisbon

 

Abstract

City and landscape co‑exist and complement each other. But they are, nonetheless, different realities: the result of distinct ideas and purposes – in fact, the problem arises when this distinction is not clear, when the extra‑urban space is no longer the otherness of the city, but a spreading urbanity; when the outside of the city becomes the non‑city instead of the landscape.

Notwithstanding city and landscape being separate realities, there are elements in the city that act as bridges to the landscape. Some are ‘naturally’ there – a river that cuts through the city, the sea that borders it – others are interventions that successfully transport us back to the landscape (say, places with a landscape ‘essence’). The importance of such elements lies in them being a counterpoint to the city, bringing a certain balance, or acting as an antidote to cities that are too dense and overly human‑made.

This presentation will address one of such bridging elements, a specific kind of urban garden, namely, the urban public orchard, to reflect on how it both enhances the urban aesthetic experience and provides clues for the betterment of city life.

 

This event is funded by Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., within the project UID/00310/2025, Centro de Filosofia da Universidade de Lisboa.