Tracing the Societal Production of Public Gardens: Analyzing the National Garden Masterplan Design Process in South Korea

Abstract

This study delves into the transformative process by which public gardens evolve into social productions, scrutinizing the National Garden Masterplan Design Process in South Korea. As South Korea's standard of living improves and interest in quality of life increases, the demand for gardens has steadily grown. Gardens, positioned as catalysts for enhancing daily life, fostering local tourism, and invigorating the economy, have become central to the realization of green welfare at both national and local levels. In response to this societal shift, the Korean government has sought to introduce a rational land use model, utilizing local ecological resources through the establishment of 'national(local) gardens’, operating under legislative frameworks.

The establishment of the first national garden in Suncheon in 2015 marked the initiation of this transformative trend, with two national gardens presently operational in South Korea. Simultaneously, a nationwide effort is underway, with approximately 33 local gardens in progress, aspiring to attain national garden status. To qualify for national garden designation, certain prerequisites must be met, encompassing criteria related to the garden's size, composition, organizational structure, personnel, amenities, and operational performance. Unlike local gardens, which rely on local government funding, national gardens receive support from the central government budget, prompting a surge in garden creation across the nation.

However, the elevation of everyday spaces to the national level lacks comprehensive reflection on the roles and implications of national gardens. Government initiatives emphasize the financial self-sufficiency of local gardens, discouraging the establishment of additional national gardens. In contrast, some localities seek national garden status to alleviate operational and financial burdens. The tendency to prioritize minimal requirements for national garden designation, rather than tailoring garden designs to suit local contexts, underscores the conflicts arising when gardens transition into public spaces. This challenge is mirrored in the garden master planning process, where the architect, wielding authority over the plan, engages in a dynamic contest with various planning agents, including government officials, citizens, and experts.

This study endeavors to meticulously trace the societal production process whereby gardens evolve into public spaces, transcending mere personal luxury or aesthetic sanctuaries. By analyzing a one-year master planning design process for a local garden, the paper revisit the intricate production dynamics of public gardens. Adopting Henri Lefebvre's analytical framework, which views spaces as both 'political productions' and 'strategic spaces,' layered with multifaceted sociality, the analysis interpret the garden: ① 'Spatial practice,' where vibrant experiences precede conceptualization through garden visitors, ② 'Representation of Space,' shaped through competition among design entities, and ③ 'Representational Space,' newly defined by garden users. Through the exploration of the dialectical relationships between these three conceptual spaces, the paper trace the process by which public gardens are newly produced within the Korean social context. This contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the subtle conflicts inherent in the garden creation process, surpassing conventional interpretations.