Information about the study area/project site 

CULTURESCAPE will offer a perspective on the way how cultural landscapes have evolved over time and can be related to specific determining factors in local, regional, national and wider European context and how cultural and natural heritage can be integrated into education, research, professional, administrative and political practice.

The Region

During the first part of the workshop students will make a survey, analysis and synthesis of the landscape between the rivers Elbe and Roeder. The rural area about 40 km northwest of Dresden has a wide range of ecological, historic, economic and social aspects to be looked at in teaching landscape design in cultural landscapes. There is an active association for Regional development set up by local authorities and stakeholders in the context of the EU – LEADER Regional Development Programme.
HTW Dresden and ELBE-ROEDER-DREIECK e.V. association co-operate in teaching and research which can be used to support Culturescape IP.

The Elbe-Roeder-Triangle formed by the rivers Elbe (large bends on left) and Roeder (small river with several arms and adjacent pond landscapes on the right).

 The region is characterised by very varied natural and cultural patterns and elements:

• Ecologically valuable river valleys, climatically favourable hills and extensive heathland are nature conservation areas and protected areas under European Conventions (SPA Seusslitzer Elbhuegelland, Unteres Roedertal, Gohrischheide). Moist and dry broadleaf woodlands, extensive meadows and pond systems are valuable and protected biotope structures. Traditional tree-lined pathways and roads are being replanted.
• Villages have characteristic settlement patterns and remnants of old cores with traditional rural buildings. Cultivated land shows a range of different economic bases: Field crops, wine, fishery, mills, crafts (Diesbar-Seusslitz, Koselitz) and increasingly bio- and wind energy production (Zeithain).
• Renaissance and baroque country houses surrounded by formal and landscaped parks are of high value for cultural history and nature conservation, and potential for tourism and recreation. The challenge is to ensure adequate uses and sustainable management with little resources (Zabeltitz, Tiefenau).
• Country towns connected by old high roads (Via Regia) with medieaval and renaissance centres illustrate the concentrated power of clergy, nobility, trade and crafts. Despite sharp economic downturn and population losses after 1990, they are economic and cultural centres attractive for tourists today (Meissen, Grossenhain)
• Industrial and military installations and infrastructure go back to the 18^th century. Today they are an important basis for income for local residents and visible elements in parts of the rural landscape. Early industrial structures (Flossgraben) but also current gravel extraction are a potential for local recreation and soft tourism. The difficult military heritage has to be dealt with adequately (Zeithain).

In the Erasmus IP „Culturescape” 2013, a vision for long term development is developed in a larger landscape context between the rivers Elbe and Roeder. Related to specific situations in the historic cultural landscape, an analysis of local areas, current potentials of development and need for action in landscape design and management are dealt with. Results of analysis and visions for development are presented and discussed with local stakeholders and later complemented and/or revised.

The second part of the programme will focus on selected sites with high potential for development. Each of the sites has to be related to the surrounding larger landscape context to bring out its identity. Connections to the Elbe and Roeder rivers have to be regarded and developed using routes in a network of recreation for pedestrians and cyclists with high scenic value.Suggestions for design in the context of local cultural landscape should teake into account natural and historic qualities but reflect contemporary positions in landscape architecture.

Potential Local Study Areas and Exemplary Topics of Landscape Design

The areas suggested for studies in detail encompass issues related to the development of historic and future cultural landscapes.

• Zabeltitz village with its renaissance and baroque palaces and park relating to the Roeder river. Design proposals could be developed for the core area between Palaces, church and main street in the context of historic elements and current needs for access, recreation and events.
• Tiefenau village with its ruinous domain, park and outstanding baroque church and neighbouring village is surrounded by agricultural land dominated by energy production and transfer. The planned development of a holiday resort respecting valuable historic structures, requires the interface between the tourist facility, village and landscape to be developed in a way local people as well as tourists can benefit from.
• Diesbar-Seusslitz village with its baroque palace/church and gardens complex is part of the landscape of vineyards along the river Elbe. Design proposals could include current needs for access, tourism, recreation and events as well as a network of footpaths for all age groups. The old nursery area could be developed into an attraction which combines the conservation of valuable garden elements with contemporary landscape architecture.
• Zeithain between military history and activity, nature conservation, tourism and recreation needs a vision for further development. Current gravel extraction provides an opportunity to establish an attractive focus for water recreation connected to the international Elbe-cycling route, the regional network of path- and cycleways and adjacent nature conservation areas. The task could include the  contemporary design of sites on the water edge, of resting areas, observation points and information elements.
• Flossgraben corridor is an element of early industrial history and directly links the rivers Elbe and Roeder. It is already designated as one of the regional bicycle routes. Considerations for improving the water regime and ecological quality could be made. Opportunities for local and regional recreation as well as activities for all generations could be extended along the canal and into neighbouring villages.
• Koselitz village bordering on an area of ponds has still traditional fish production and is related to an age-old legend about a mill, water, human temptation and salvation. The recreational infrastructure has already been strengthened by a network of paths and sites for nature observation. Issues for landscape design arise from the need to relate different parts of the village to each other, to the landscape and to develop a coherent system of open space taking up the water elements.

The study area surrounded by towns (Riesa, Grossenhain, Groeditz). Local focus can be directed towards the Flossgraben corridor and five villages including adjacent areas.

Cross-cutting issues of cultural landscape development

During the Intensive Programme we will focus on a range of topics in each of the areas; they have to be adapted in content, intensity, methodological approach  e.g.

• analysis of the landscape under different disciplinary aspects
• assessment of valuable historical landscape elements and settlement structures
• identification of social, economic and cultural factors, current and future needs

•  quality of life, housing and recreation for residents
• need for education and training related to the landscape
• cultural activities based on traditions, historic elements and new ideas

• strategies of landscape protection, compensation of impacts and development of natural features
• accommodating new land use structures for agriculture, recreation and tourism
• design of contemporary open space and landscape relating to historic and new structures

• co-operation of local institutions in regional and local politics and management
• institutions and levels of landscape planning and nature conservation in regional development
• involvement of stakeholders in the planning and design process regarding the cultural landscape

You can see/download the maps of the study areas below.

Dresden_maps