Publications
Examining Recreational Activities in UNESCO-listed Botanical Gardens: Kew, Singapore, and Padova
UNESCO-listed botanical gardens employ distinct recreational strategies to balance public engagement with conservation and education. A comparative study of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), Singapore Botanic Gardens, and Orto Botanico di Padova (Italy) reveals that Kew prioritizes structured visitor management, dynamic seasonal events, and inclusivity programs, while Singapore emphasizes accessibility, family-friendly experiences, and eco-education in an urban setting. In contrast, Padova’s historical design fosters contemplative recreation, supplemented by modern ecological exhibits. The research underscores the significance of sustainable visitor management tailored to site-specific challenges, offering insights for optimizing recreational activities without compromising core missions.
Mobilizing pictures
A significant shift in the fields of history of science, technology, and medicine has been identified following the 'mobility turn.' This study highlights how the photographic collection 'Iconoteca dei botanici,' preserved at the Botanical Garden of Padua University, exemplifies the circulation and mobility of botanists' portraits through photography. The collection, assembled by Italian botanist Pier Andrea Saccardo between the 19th and 20th centuries, primarily consists of carte de visites photographs that have circulated among scholars, collectors, and donors. By focusing on this case study, the research integrates history of science, visual studies, and mobility studies, shedding light on the historical dimensions of mobile processes in scientific practice.
Palm-House
The Padua Botanical Garden, established in 1545 by the University of Padua, represents a pivotal example of Renaissance botanical gardens that combined scientific organization with biomedical knowledge production. Its circular layout, divided into four quadrants and fortified by a stone wall, reflects the 16th-century development of pharmaceutical technology and the high value placed on botanical specimens for medical training. The garden's design embodied the rationalization of natural world classification while serving as an exclusive space for biomedical research, illustrating how early herbariums functioned as both educational tools and pharmaceutical laboratories.
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