Transition Process of Landscape Through Changing Tropical Gardens from Productive Function into Recreational Purpose

Abstract

The urban gardens are under transformation that results in the modification of function, activity, hardscape, softscape of gardens. The aim of this paper is to analyse the transitional process of the gardens from the productive function to recreational purposes in Kigali city, Rwanda. The methodology of the research was designed qualitative methods such as interview, observation, photography, sketching, mapping, and graphical analysis. The findings identified that the transition process has affected both the configuration and composition of gardens. The configuration refers to the hardscape including buildings, walls, paving, and accessibility, and composition includes the softscape such as trees, shrubs, flowers, pots, and furniture. Additionally, this transition resulted in changing functions and activities in the gardens from productive to leisure and from private to semi-private and semi-public. This transition could be addressed to the new generation of social middle classes in the city who are raising new needs, desires, and expectations from the urban area to increase social interaction through semi-public activities.