Meet the landscape architect reimagining cemeteries as public spaces
Crowds flock to Hollywood Forever Cemetery; Here, the iconic cemetery has become an unlikely hotspot for events ranging from outdoor movie nights to quirky community events.
The cemetery is the resting place of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but has recently become the backdrop for cultural events taking place in the city.
From concerts to literary events to conferences, you name it, they all end up in the city’s cemetery.
New RMIT University research suggests there is a way for Australia to rethink the role of cemeteries as public urban spaces.
Landscape architect Isabel Lasala said cemeteries were one of the most overlooked spaces in the country but could be transformed into inclusive and dynamic urban environments.
“Cemeteries have long been at the center of our relationship with death, traditionally seen as sacred and static places,” the PhD graduate said.
“What if we re-imagined cemeteries as dynamic, hybrid spaces shaped by time, memory, and ecological processes?
“Rather than viewing their gradual decay as failure, we can explore design-led alternatives that combine the opposing forces of grief and play, transforming decay into a catalyst for civic engagement.
“This approach can inspire innovative design strategies to revitalize forgotten urban spaces, creating a new kind of urban environment that bridges grief and play, memory and adaptation.”
Ms. Lasala said people avoid going to cemeteries because they are afraid of disturbing someone if they just go for a walk or chat with a friend, but there are also many magnificent cemeteries that everyone wants to visit.
As part of her PhD, Ms Lasala considered how cemeteries could stay alive longer, as many had become dead zones over time and were left to rot.
“My other concern was the regular cemeteries that have been operating forever, with no Oscar Wilde, Marilyn Monroe or Jim Morrison,” he said.
“One of the most important things that can be done is to open these roads more to the environment so that people can pass through them more easily.”
Cemeteries are often blocked from view or surrounded by large fences amid industrial or urban areas that have been built around them over time, Ms. Lasala said.
Often, he said, there is no physical or visual connection to cemeteries that makes them inviting places to drive or walk.
But the researcher believes it could be enabled with open roads and streets so people can pass more easily, or more green space could be created by breaking up the concrete to allow grass and flowers to grow.
Ms Lasala said Waverley Cemetery in Sydney’s east was a great example of how the community was accessing the area as a public space.
He said the gates were always open and people living in the area were constantly walking and running through the cemetery.
“It’s a beautiful place, a great location and it’s quiet,” he said.
“There are cemeteries that are always active for different reasons, such as the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and the Igualada Cemetery in Spain.”
New activation interventions implemented in cemeteries include yoga classes, movie nights and concerts, he said.
“I know there are people who find it disrespectful… but my job is more about opening up what we have and making the most of these spaces that have great potential,” Ms. Lasala said.
“They are forgotten now and they also carry the stamp of death and people don’t know if it is respectful to pass by.
“There are a lot of movies in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, for example. It’s a huge event that happens in the summer and it’s a great experience.”
