Classical Chinese Gardens Consortium

In May 2011, as part of the celebrations around the 25th Anniversary of the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the David Lam Centre organized, funded and hosted a conference titled “Chinese Gardens: Transitions Across Time and Culture.”  Since the founding of Sun Yat Sen Garden, several other cities including Montréal in Canada, Zürich in Switzerland, Portland, Seattle, New York, and San Marino in the United States, and Sydney and Bendigo in Australia have integrated Chinese gardens into their urban landscapes. A growing body of expertise has developed around the construction, maintenance, management and development of these gardens and a growing number of people outside China have been fortunate to walk through these tranquil spaces.

Attended by nearly one hundred people this conference brought together academics, professional gardeners and landscapers, architects, and interested community members to discuss the history, management and future of classical Chinese gardens outside Asia. The response to this event was very positive and it was suggested that this conference be repeated.

The David Lam Centre is working with the Garden trustees and the Executive Director of the Sun Yat Sen Garden in Vancouver to develop an international consortium of Classical Chinese gardens and experts to act as a much needed resource for information on matters of conservation, cultural integrity, and management of these spaces.