Kashmir’s Mughal gardens offer a useful study of how a designed landscape responds to its setting. UNESCO’s Tentative List description records the relationship between gardens, sloping ground and water. [1] Their value as a design reference extends beyond copying a formal planting pattern.
Study the relationship to the site
Observe how changes in level organise movement and how water helps structure a visitor’s experience. Note the relationship between enclosed garden spaces and longer views towards the surrounding landscape. These observations can inform questions for a contemporary design brief.
A new public park should still respond to its own terrain, water availability and intended users. Historic form does not provide a ready-made specification for a different site.
Translate principles carefully
Use surveyed levels to organise routes and places to rest. Evaluate where shade is needed and how views can be retained without sacrificing habitat. Any water feature needs an identified supply, maintenance plan and assessment of its operating demands.
Work within the conservation requirements of historic sites when studying or adapting them. For new landscapes, explain the function of a proposed feature instead of relying on resemblance to a celebrated garden.
Sources and further reading
- UNESCO World Heritage CentreMughal Gardens in Kashmir: Tentative List submission