Issues in the conservation of gardens in Israel: Ramat Hanadiv as a case study

Abstract

Landscapes, society and its values in Israel undergo dramatic and rapid changes. Therefore, issues of conservation, reconstruction or restoration of sites, buildings, gardens and landscapes need to acquire special and greater importance. The protection of natural and cultural sites such as nature reserves and national parks has already gained public support and legal recognition by the Act of National Parks and Nature Reserves, enacted in 1963 and amended in 1994. In the 1980s the Council for the Conservation of Buildings and Sites in Israel was established on a voluntary basis. Formal and legal frameworks were provided in 1991 by amendment no.31 (plan for site conservation) to the Planning and Building Law of 1965.1 However, the amendment refers only to structure(s) or site(s) attached to a structure(s), and does not relate to a site that has no structure(s) on it, such as open land or a garden. The issue of identifying historical landscapes and gardens and their conservation and maintenance is not specifically dealt with. The international framework for Historic Gardens established by ICOMOS-UNESCO in two charters,2 is mostly too general and does not suffice to deal with all practical management and maintenance issues. The garden at Ramat Hanadiv therefore provides a useful case study by which a perspective on the issues of historical gardens and their management in Israel can be gained.