History of Landscape Architecture and Garden Conservation
The teaching and research area of History of Landscape Architecture and Garden Conservation is dedicated to the diverse manifestations of garden and landscape culture. It provides students with fundamental knowledge about historical gardens and parks as part of the cultural heritage of humanity. It explores historical sites and sources, spanning from the evidence of garden creation over six millennia to the history of gardening and designing professions, and up to contemporary landscape planning and horticultural practices guided by heritage conservation concepts.
The primary focus of the teaching and research area lies in garden history and garden conservation, which not only investigates, preserves, and advances these subjects but also aligns with sustainability goals and addresses the substantial threats to landscape culture posed by climate change. It is geared towards interdisciplinary collaboration. The conservation of cultural heritage requires expertise from fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, as well as natural and social sciences.
Historical gardens and parks hold significant societal relevance. They are works of art and, as monuments, serve as testimonies to cultural history, reflecting societal models and evolving understandings of nature over time. They promote both artistic and genetic diversity, contain extensive ecological qualities, offer recreation, health, and education, and are also economically relevant for the future.
The teaching and research area is closely linked to the internationally oriented, interdisciplinary Center for Garden Art and Landscape Architecture (CGL) at Leibniz University Hannover. Since 2001, this institution has initiated research in garden history, conservation, professional history, and contemporary landscape architecture. It maintains networks and supports academic talent.
