For thousands of years, the design, cultivation and preservation of
gardens and cultural landscapes as fine arts and useful arts have been
among the most striking expressions of human culture. As vehicles of
meaning, historic gardens are important not just aesthetically but also
historically, allegorically and symbolically. The spectrum of types and
the manifold purposes and uses of these gardens and parks with their
diverse range of functional and formal designs derives from the
evolution of urban lifestyles and specific needs. Historic gardens have
always been places of pleasurable interaction, education and leisurely
relaxation. They are also extremely valuable from the point of view of
biodiversity, providing benefits in terms of recreation, human
well-being, leisure, environmental education and interdependence with
the climate. As part of the cultural heritage, historic gardens can act
as a stable driving force in the context of contemporary civilisation
processes, helping to formulate and implement sustainable goals for
action geared towards a humane outlook and lifestyle in our society.
This book explores how interdisciplinary approaches can be combined to
promote social responsibility in the preservation and use of historic
gardens. It offers diverse international examples of the value of these
cultural monuments in tackling current sustainability challenges ranging
from climate change to the contemporary relationship between humankind
and nature.
