Green heritage: a newcomer to the preservation of monuments and historic buildings

Abstract

Garden landscaping is an age-old human activity that went through various styles and fashions. Around 1900 garden architect Leonard Springer (1855-1940), among others, pointed out the lack of knowledge on the garden art of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Springer was a major promoter of the profession of garden designer and landscape architect. The increased appreciation of landscape architecture resulted in the assessment of parks and their designation as listed monument/green area. Initially, the attention was focused on the parks belonging to country estates, 540 of which are protected as complexes at present. Other categories of landscaping, such as cemeteries, villa gardens, city parks, landscaping around offices and factories, in residential districts and on defensive works, have not been thoroughly researched or listed. Consequently, there is no balanced representation of landscaping in the historic buildings register nor any meticulous description of such green areas.

The forming of opinion on the way in which landscaping can be protected is in progress. Plants and shrubs, an essential part of landscape architecture, … are in motion. The terminology required for developing a restoration philosophy with respect to green heritage can largely be derived from the terminology of the preservation of historic buildings and monuments. However, since plants and shrubs are alive and die, the contents of the notions will have to be reconsidered. At the moment the central role of the manager does not play a part yet in discussions and policy concerning the protection of listed green areas.

Obviously, the use of a park sets requirements to its layout. Although many city parks, for instance, still function more or less according to the original idea, the numbers of visitors have multiplied and events have also become more massive. Frequently the adjustments for this new use are only regarded as a design assignment when the park is seriously worn out and in need of restoration. At such a moment the status as listed monument/green area may help to increase the quality of the interventions.