Reconceptualizing the Conservation of Value Landscapes

Historic gardens, parks, and recognized 20th-century landscapes are highly valued for their social, aesthetic, and historical significance. However, some of these Value Landscapes are at risk of disappearing due to both natural and human-induced factors. Based on an examination of current conservation principles and the characteristics of value landscapes, this study proposes that conservation efforts should aim to preserve the intrinsic value attributes of these landscapes. In both practice and discourse, value landscapes are attributed two distinct cultural roles: work of art and place. As work of art, their creativity allows them to be seen as skillfully crafted objects capable of expressing truths that are both clear and profound. Material provides the physical foundation necessary for the communication and perpetuation of meaning and serves as a crucial element in keeping collective memory vibrant and alive. Experience, acting as a key intermediary between material and place, plays a central role in constructing social identity and Genius Loci. The interaction of creativity, material, and experience collectively defines the extraordinary significance of value landscapes. A study of the Water Theater Grove highlights that, when material integrity is compromised, recognizing and interpreting the aspects of creativity and experience offer new pathways for the transmission of value landscapes. An approach that centers on value attributes shifts conservation practice from a narrowly material-based model to a broader framework that encompasses creative and experiential dimensions. Preserving these values helps to more comprehensively reflect the overall character of the landscape and remains effective regardless of the extent of material preservation.