Historic Gardens Research Articles

El Parque Isidora Cousiño de Lota: Su importancia como patrimonio histórico y lugar significativo para la memoria colectiva y construcción de identidad

This article presents the main features of one of Chile’s most unique historical gardens. The Isidora Cousino Park is known for its spatial qualities and its symbolic value for the collective identity and memory of the inhabitants of Lota, a coal mining city. The park is particularly important at present given Lota’s double challenge: Preserving its traditional sites and, at the same time, carrying out a series of urban and social transformations related to the closing of the coal mines in 1997 and the industrial streamlining process. In the context of such radical changes, this park is highly appreciated by the community as the city’s most important landmark.

Do Largo do Rossio ao Jardim: a gênese da praça Gomes Freire em Mariana-MG

Considered as the first village from Minas Gerais state, Mariana has important cultural and historical collections from the Brazilian colonial period. Currently the city has three squares in the historic center, and they are recognized for the historical heritage. Gomes Freire’s Square, set in the historic center of Mariana, has two interesting characteristics: its location behind the Main Church and the intensity use by many social groups in this city, furthermore the large presence of tourists. In the prospect of meeting its historical evolution, and identify the landscape representation in the collective unconscious of Mariana’s inhabitants, it was analyzed the evolution of the village and formation of the Gomes Freire’s Square. To achieve this goal it was necessary to deepen the knowledge of the social appropriation of this space over time, enabling the identification of the same, as well as its evolution as a public place. The study focused its interest in the village evolution, in the uses and social representation of the covered space. For this, the methodology applied was an interface between the inventive analysis, subjective method analysis, and recommendations for preservation of historic gardens. Gomes Freire’s Square, in its formation process presented as remarkable feature in its historical dimension, the fact that emerged and remained as a space of popular demonstrations.

Pojemniki i rośliny kubłowe w historycznych parkach i ogrodach

Pojemniki są ważnym elementem wyposażenia zabytkowego ogrodu. Kwiaty były uprawiane w donicach i misach już w czasach Homera. W ogrodach historycznych XVII, XVIII i XIX wieku pojemniki ustawiano w punktach, które chciano podkreślić, formowano z nich rzędy i rytmiczne kompozycje. Donice ustawiano nad brzegami zbiorników wodnych, na balustradach, tarasach i schodach.

Mathematically defining and parametrically generating Traditional Chinese Private Gardens of the Suzhou Region and Style

The Traditional Chinese Private Garden is a historically and socially significant landscape type that features multiple complex planning elements. Whereas there are many different examples of Traditional Chinese Private Gardens, the small gardens of Suzhou make up a distinct subset. This paper describes a method for mathematically capturing and then parametrically generating, new instances of what might be called the small ‘Suzhou type’, which features some of the same social and cognitive spatial properties as the historic cases. The research commences with a mathematical analysis of three historic Suzhou Traditional Chinese Private Gardens before using connectivity graphs to investigate their properties. Mathematical measurements derived from the Traditional Chinese Private Gardens are then used as rules for a parametric system to generate new instances of the Suzhou type. In the paper, three new Suzhou type connectivity and spatio-typological systems are generated and tested against the properties of the historic cases. Through this process, the paper demonstrates a method for capturing distinct social and cognitive properties in a parametric system and thereby derives possible new insights into these important heritage sites. This method may also be applied to the analysis and generation of different spatial types.

The significance of Shahjahanabad and Lutyens’ Delhi

The built heritage of Delhi is an irreplaceable cultural resource, which needs to be protected for posterity. The heritage resources include symbols of successive civilizations and cities, historic buildings and complexes, historical gardens, canals, bridges, water engineering structures, forts, palaces, citadels, places of worship, tombs, villages, unearthed heritage, etc. During recent decades, Delhi’s growth has threatened its rich heritage. This paper traces the evolution and significance of Delhi from Shahjahanabad (seventeenth century) to Imperial Capital, popularly known as Lutyens’ Delhi (twentieth century).

Historic gardens in the center of Stockholm

Historic gardens in the center of Stockholm

Phronēsis and Dao: Cultivating Ethics and Wisdom in the Process of Making Architecture

Contemporary China, the largest construction site in the world, is the centre of production of architectural ‘vessels’ that are compacted with technical and scientific knowledge. Nevertheless, traditional wisdom and personal cultivation is often neglected in this process of creating architecture. This paper makes a connection between the Chinese ideogram of 道 (dao = way), with the Greek term of φρόνησις (phronesis = practical wisdom), in the context of architecture. We argue that both terms bring forth the importance of ethics and practical wisdom in the making of architecture, as a process of cultivation. This argument is discussed through two case studies: a historical Chinese garden (Sima Guang’s ‘Garden of Solitary Enjoyment’), as a manifestation of Dao, and an educational situation from a contemporary architectural design studio in a school of architecture, as a manifestation of phronēsis. Both these diverse examples offer a possibility to see architecture as the creation of ‘vessels for life’ where ‘vessel’ and ‘life’ are inseparable.

Propagation of Taxus baccata ‘Green Diamond’ by cutting

Buxus sempervirens and its varieties, such as ’Suffruticosa’, are popular plants of historic as well as modem gardens. The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis), one of its most aggressive pests, also appeared in Hungary in 2011. Taxus baccata is also a species with a great tradition in historic gardens. This species has outstanding longevity, a good self-renewing capacity and is easy to handle. It can create a dense and solid surface that could serve as a green wall or an excellent background to colourful shrubs and blooming plants. The ’Green Diamond’ variety of Taxus baccata boasting a spherical habit similar to Buxus sempervirens ’Suffruticosa’ is a slow-grower with small, dark green leaves and would be suitable to replace ’Suffruticosa’. It tolerates pmning well and has a good renewing capacity. Taxus baccata ’Green Diamond’ is currently propagated by grafting in Western European ornamental tree nurseries, which is however a costly and slow propagation method. As part of our work, we set the aim to work out the propagation method for Taxus baccata ’Green Diamond’ by cuttings. As part of our work, we examined the propagation of Taxus baccata ’Green Diamond’ by cutting in various plant growth mediums with the application of root stimulants in different concentrations.

The Role and Heterogeneity of Visual Pollution on the Quality of Urban Landscape Using GIS; Case Study: Historical Garden in City of Maraqeh

The urban landscape heterogeneity has been influenced by the visual, unpleasant and unacceptable face of which there is no charm in it. The present study is formed according to visual pollution and its impact on the appearance and vitality of a city. Preliminary studies and theoretical studies led to the hypothesis with the following themes: 1) There is relationship between the pollution, heterogeneity and visual disturbances urban landscape and urban vitality; 2) Improving the quality, aesthetics and identity of public spaces will increase urban vitality. Therefore, the design process within the theoretical principles, concepts, television and urban landscape, urban art, visual pollution aspects (color, light, and visual symbol) and the quality of urban vitality and explain causal relationships, analytical framework developed and more samples case (garden historic town of Maraqeh1) and the area under study were selected using GIS. After designing the questionnaire to evaluate the objectives, assumptions and questions of research and its analysis, the results indicate that the relationship between visual pollution and urban vitalitys, as well as proving hypotheses and vitality after the final analysis, model was introduced based on the components of comfort visual editing and proposed at three levels: micro, middle and macro for objectives, strategies and policies to regulate visual pollution and improve the aesthetic quality of the environment and the promotion of vitality.

Sustainable Cities and the Contribution of Historical Urban Green Spaces: A Case Study of Historical Persian Gardens

Growing populations and rapid worldwide urbanization are recognized as constituting one of the most complex processes in the world and have raised concerns about the sustainability of cities. Sustainable development, a widely accepted strategic framework in city planning, singles out urban green spaces as a primary solution for addressing these issues. Growing empirical evidences indicate that the presence of natural areas contributes to a better quality of life in many ways. Urban green spaces serve as places of identity, memory, and belonging; enrich human life with meaning and emotions by providing important social and psychological benefits; and enhance the quality of life of citizens, which is a key component of sustainability. Despite our understanding of the benefits of urban green spaces, little is known about the benefits of historical urban green spaces. To highlight their importance with regard to environmental sustainability and citizens’ well-being, this study analyzes a number of historical Persian gardens that are still actively used by urban residents. The findings suggest that historical Persian gardens could accommodate many social functions and address many of the psychological issues relating to urban dwelling. It has been generally acknowledged that sense of community and place attachment is pivotal to creating sustainable urban environments. Historical gardens as physical components can cohesively weave together many parts of cities of any cities while providing places for public congregation as well as attracting a variety of local economic activities. All these attributes can make historical Persian gardens as a valuable municipal resource and a key ingredient for city’s living sustainability.

LIVEABILITY IN A GARDEN CITY – A CASE STUDY OF PODKOWA LEŚNA (POLAND)

<p>The first garden cities in the early 20th century were designed to provide a wholesome alternative to increasingly congested cities. They were characterised by low-density building amongst generous verdure, the presence of open public spaces, and of cultural and educational institutions. Interestingly, the goals and priorities of the Garden City Movement presaged much of the agenda of contemporary sustainable planning. This article sets out to highlight the ecological and social potential of the garden city model and to assess its relevance for current debates on liveability through a case study of Podkowa Leśna in Poland. The argument draws considerably on the analysis of reports issued by the municipal council of Podkowa Leśna and the Town and Country Planning Association in Britain. One of the main issues addressed concerns the heritage of green and open spaces and the legacy of community values in historical garden cities.</p>

Specificities of the Garden Architecture Monuments from the Legal Point of View

The article deals with legal specificity of garden art. First, it explains some specifics of garden art (namely historic gardens and parks), which arise from its character, as they are created by humans but consist of plants and woody plants interconnected with various ecosystems. The authors present legal regimes, within which garden art may be protected, and on the example of garden art monuments they focus on the issue of conflict of varied public interests, in particular heritage preservation interest and interests in the preservation of nature and landscape, waters and forest.

Argentina: Cultural Landscapes and Historical Gardens

Argentina: Cultural Landscapes and Historical Gardens

Sweden: Historic Gardens

Sweden: Historic Gardens

Resgate histórico da praça da Basílica de Bom Jesus de Matosinhos em Congonhas, Minas Gerais

The squares and gardens have always been constructed at the heart of cities, enshrining its history and giving place to the public and private events of the population. The historic gardens contribute to the memory and identity of a people, and can be considered as cultural heritage and living monument and therefore the importance of its preservation. These gardens are present in many localities, especially in the colonial towns of Minas Gerais, which have their roots in the incessant search for gold and the ways traced by the then Royal Road. Congonhas, a town that emerged from the gold exploration, and also from the faith of the portuguese, has enormous tourism potential. It´s history is marked by Aleijadinho masterpiece, which turned it into a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This study had as objective to consider the importance of historic gardens, to study the historical-cultural evolution and landscape of the square of the Basílica Bom Jesus de Matosinhos with emphasis on morphological transformations of the space it occupied, and the social representations found. For this, it was made an exploratory research through site visits, interviews, and literature and iconographic searches. The gathering of the collected data allowed to organize them in the historical process of area occupation and enabled the identification of the main changes that occurred over time. There was no intention of occupying the square, either as a community space, whether as ornamentation until the 1920´s. The idea of beautifying the place came only with the arrival of the Redemptorist Priests in Congonhas in 1923. Since then, several forms were acquired through the garden, including a project by Roberto Burle Marx. The square has a religious purpose and does not load the design of most Brazilian squares as a place of social coexistence of the population or framework from political power.

문화유산 국제보존원칙에서 나타난 역사도시경관의 보존개념

This paper is based on a content analysis, exploring international documents related to 'Historic Urban Landscape (HUL)' concept, which was introduced in the 'Recommendation for the HUL' and adopted by UNESCO in 2011. HUL, regarded as a new approach to heritage conservation, is expected to be an opportunity to harmonize the controversial issue in urban context, development and conservation, and also to lead a new paradigm of heritage notion, philosophy as well as method. This is because HUL ultimately accepts the situation that changes in historic urban area is inevitable. While previous studies have the point of view to understand HUL as the latest urban conservation concept, this paper applies 'landscape' perspectives, which were stressed primarily in HUL concept, in order to explain what the HUL approach means. This paper confirms that landscape conservation concepts have been evolved from "historic garden", to "cultural landscape" and then to "historic urban landscape" in the international documents, broadening the notion of landscape from a monument to everyday-life places. Consequently methods for urban conservation was shifted from preserving the original state to managing changes, respecting participation of residents and creative strategies. In conclusion, HUL approach is, after all, the management of changes in the urban context, which are concerned with future heritage. What's more, HUL, which is evolutionarily broadened its scope, lets us investigate the notion of heritage and heritage conservation methods.

Historical Gardens at Risk of the Destruction by Visitors, Case Study of El-Goli Garden (Iran)

This study, which was conducted on the only surviving garden of the historic gardens in the city of Tabriz in Iran (i.e. the garden of El-Goli), closely examines its importance and place in the Iranian art of gardening. El-Goli garden is considered as an important place in the city by foreign and local tourists. However, in recent years, with the development of Tabriz and consequently the increased need for green space and recreational areas for citizens, this historic garden has become a public promenade and park. This paper examines the risks and threats posed by the change in land use. Since visitors are the main threats, a questionnaire was developed to identify their reasons for visiting the garden, their behaviour in the garden and how they use this historic garden. The questionnaire was completed by 100 visitors who were randomly selected. The table of frequency for each variable was prepared using SPSS software. Finally, the results show that most visitors not only are unaware of the historical value, but also come to the garden for other purposes such as recreation, leisure and use of facilities and so on. Thus, their attitudes and behaviours will pave the way for the destruction of the garden.

Plant remains from the early modern garden of the manor of Kumpula, Helsinki, Finland: an alternative sampling method for macrofossil analysis

Garden history can be investigated through archaeobotanical research. This paper discusses the plant remains which were obtained from the soil of the historical garden of the manor of Kumpula in Helsinki, Finland. This study was an experiment to enable macrofossil analysis without archaeological excavations. The aim was to develop an alternative method for sampling for macrofossils also including radiocarbon dates, and to evaluate the usability, cost and functionality of this method. The character of the garden was also considered. The soil samples for macrofossil analysis were collected from the garden from three to eight different levels using an end-filling open-ended sampler. A total of 38 one litre soil samples from eight different pits yielded 2,036 identified macrofossils, mostly seeds. These comprised 63 different taxa, of which 26 were identified to species level with certainty. Taxa with more than 25 seeds found were Chelidonium majus, Chenopodium spp., Juncus spp., Rubus idaeus, Sambucus racemosa and Urtica dioica. Important species were Secale cereale and Hordeum vulgare. Nine AMS radiocarbon dates were obtained from macrofossil material from four different pits, giving results ranging from 1120–920 cal bc to cal ad 1680–1930 for charred wood, and from cal ad 1450–1640 to 1640–1930 for charred grains of Secale cereale and seeds of Chenopodium album. The sampling method proved to work reasonably well, considering the limitations of the sample size.

Burhanpur Cultural Landscape Conservation: Inspiring Quality for Sustainable Regeneration

The heritage landscape of Burhanpur has an architectural and horticultural composition, consisting of many historic gardens, a unique water management system, a sustainable planning and design framework, the use of landscape and topography with numerous heritage components and historical monuments, temples, tombs and mosques that are locally, regionally and nationally significant. Conserving Burhanpur as an inspirational model for other sites is not only a cultural heritage objective, but it is also a crucial component of the heritage-based sustainable regeneration of the landscape, because it is directly linked to environmental integrity, economic efficiency and resources for present and future generations. Although the last decade has witnessed vigorous efforts by the municipal corporation to preserve and develop Burhanpur by designating it as one of the heritage cities of the UNESCO—Indian Heritage Cities Network (in 2006), a coherent, holistic and sustainable heritage outcome has not been achieved. This paper proposes to harness the cultural landscape as an approach for the sustainable regeneration of Burhanpur heritage and takes a holistic approach to the interpretation of the historic district and natural landscape of the city, where historic buildings are located.

Public Awareness towards Conservation of English Landscape at Taiping Lake Garden, Malaysia

Taiping Lake Garden (TLG) is one of the remaining British legacies located in Taiping, Perak. TLG is facing the transformation of English landscape environment, and diminishing the public appreciation on its historical value. This study aims to investigate the transformation of TLG's historical value in the current environment, and to propose suggestions in promoting public awareness towards conserving the historical value in historic garden. This study has assessed the public awareness through a combination of survey and case study. The outcome of this study could offer the landscape architecture industry to moving towards conservation of historic garden in Malaysia.