Assessment of Residents' Understanding and Demands on Gardens in Gyeongnam Region, Korea

This study was conducted to investigate effective ways to meet social and cultural interest in and needs of gardens and gardening. A total of 191 respondents who answered they were living in Gyeongnam region in the questionnaire were selected: 102 (53.4%) were males and 89 (46.6%) were females. In frequency of garden visits, 45% of the respondents answered they visited gardens once a year. Their preferred companion was family (43.6%), followed by friends/colleagues (24.3%). Their important motives of garden visits included admiration of gardens' scenery and ambience, pleasure in being outdoors, relaxing mentally and physically, and appreciation of plants. Relatively less important motives included understanding or educating about nature and environmental conservation, and interest in garden design and horticulture techniques. In the overall assessment of gardens and gardening, the quality of the establishment, management and operation of botanic gardens and arboreta in Gyeongnam region scored 3.32 scale, which was close to the level of 'fair.' Also, the respondents agreed at 3.91 scale that it was necessary to improve the garden creation, gardening, and garden culture. Meanwhile, many people in Gyeongnam region did not clearly understand differences between garden and public park, also had a very obscure perception of public garden. The results of importance-performance analysis (IPA) indicated that it is necessary to concentrate on directing and developing some programs such as admiration of beautiful and exotic plants, and education on garden culture including garden making and horticultural techniques.