CHRISTCHURCH BOTANIC GARDENS: A SENSE OF PLACE

Managers of Botanic Gardens are often influenced by financial, political, social or physical factors to change spaces within gardens, which can affect the ‘sense of place'' people associate with an area. To visitors and groups associated with the gardens any development may change the association and meaning people attribute to a space. Botanic Gardens established in late 19th Century were given particular meanings associated with the acclimatisation of new plants. This book explores conflicts over competing definitions of spaces in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, New Zealand. Local residents, particularly those aligned with community groups who have longstanding interests in the Gardens, have reacted to these changes and their ‘sense of place'' associated with the space. The analysis provides an insight into how Botanic Gardens'' managers and professionals managing public spaces can meet contemporary demands on space, such as increased visitor and tourism numbers while maintaining a balance with political, cultural and commercial activities at a local level. This is particularly useful to people who maintain public spaces with historic or heritage values.