Conservation of Historic Gardens in Israel

Abstract

Many Israeli gardens may be considered to be of international importance. Yet, historic gardens conserved in the past have started to deteriorate, have been modified and some are even facing destruction. To save them, there should be greater public awareness of their value and the need for their conservation. The gardens represent landscape architecture creations, and document the development of urban settlements. They need to be preserved as part of Israel's collective memory and identity. However, the subject of historic gardens was only included in the agenda of the Israeli Council for the Preservation of Buildings and Historic Sites during the past decade, and has not yet received proper legislation. This study documents selected historic gardens in Israel, from the beginning of the renewed Jewish settlement, discusses their conservation and the policy, laws and regulations pertaining to them. It surveys the history of landscape design over the last hundred years and analyses three historic gardens - the Benjamin Garden in Haifa, the Meir Dizengoff Garden in Tel Aviv and the Ramat Hanadiv Gardens in Zichron Ya'acov. The paper concludes with a discussion of the future of these gardens and indicates the need to shape clear policy regarding their conservation and inclusion in the law as sites of national heritage.