New Dimensions of the European Landscapes

This Frontis Publication is based on the workshop on "The New Dimensions of the European Landscape" that was held in Wageningen on 10-12 June 2002. The workshop was aimed at developing visions on the landscape in Europe, its development and design in the future and to strengthen the international network in landscape planning. This book contains the majority of the contributions; only a few have not been included due to various reasons.§The European Landscape is under stress of globalization, the disappearance of the iron curtain and the recent EU enlargement to 25 countries. The European landscapes as we know them now are facing huge changes. The rural and cultural heritage of Europe has to be adapted to the new situation, but it is also worth being conserved as it represents the European history in the same way as castles and churches. §It cannot be avoided that Europe adapts to the new dimensions of the world. We, in Europe, have to define what we think is important, what must be conserved and what can be adapted to serve new functions. In this workshop no final answers were given, but the various aspects were discussed and new roads were presented. One thing is agreed: education is needed to teach the urban dweller his, or her, rural past. That is the basis for the rural economy and the persistence of the cultural landscape.