|
Deep Blue at the University of Michigan >
All Collections >
Dissertations and Theses (Ph.D. and Master's) >
|
Please use this persistent URL to cite or link to this item:
|
| Title: | Cultural Bridges: Cultivating Conversations Through Garden Design |
| Authors: | Bartlett, M'Lis
Jones, Jenna |
| Keywords: | garden design
landscape architecture
ethnobotany
conflicting cultures
religious plants |
| Issue Date: | Aug-2009 |
| Abstract: | Landscape architects have a social responsibility to design spaces that improve local
ecology and engage community members through participatory design methods. Cultural
Bridges: Cultivating Conversations through Garden Design seeks to become a precedent
for embracing cultural authenticity and ecological integration as inherent components
of landscape design. Located in Oak Park, Michigan, Cultural Bridges is a proposal for
reimagining a public garden in a culturally diverse neighborhood that focused on the Jewish
and Islamic communities of the region.
Through historic, cultural and religious research on the art, gardens and plants, and the
use of contemporary Jewish and Muslim perspectives on nature and religion, the Cultural
Bridges design highlights the religious and landscape histories of Oak Park. Given the
historic confl ict of the Jewish and Muslim cultures, Cultural Bridges illuminates shared
architectural, landscape, and ethnobotanical histories as well as shared philosophies on
conservation and sustainability. These concepts are translated into the design layout
through circulation patterns, gathering spaces, material choices and plant selection.
Sustainable site practices including rainwater infi ltration methods and the use of native
plant species improve the local ecology while supporting the design intent. Signifi cant
cultural references from each community were identifi ed and incorporated into a design
that commemorates, educates, and inspires a healing process between these communities.
A critical discussion of the design choices suggests that if the community is not open to
healing the disparate relationship between Jews and Muslims, the Cultural Bridges designs
will not succeed. A visitor who is open-hearted and willing to work toward a peaceful future
together will fi nd many opportunities help promote and cultivate this relationship through
learning, discussing, and refl ection. |
| Appears in Collections: | Natural Resources and Environment, School of (SNRE)
Dissertations and Theses (Ph.D. and Master's)
|
Files in This Item:
| File |
Description |
Size | Format | |
|---|
| CulturalBridges_Final.pdf | | 15108Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
|
Deep Blue encourages the fair use of copyrighted material, and you are free to link to content here without asking for permission. Consult the document(s) and/or contact the copyright holder for additional rights questions and requests.
|
