From holistic landscape synthesis to transdisciplinary landscape management

The concept of ‘landscape’ has multiple meaning and is intrinsically holistic. Since the Renaissance period different ways of dealing with the landscape have developed, each with its own perspective, concepts and methods. Three groups can be recognized: the natural sciences (where landscape ecology has a leading role), the human sciences (with historical geography and historical ecology, but also the humanistic and semiotic approach to landscape), and the applied sciences (with landscape design and architecture and planning). Each contributed to a new and deeper understanding of the landscape. These different trajectories of landscape research are compared. Common concepts, goals and language are not evident and it is not obvious how to make a new synthesis under the umbrella of a transdisciplinary landscape science. However, when it comes to management and planning all are dealing with the same land; a synthesis is needed and transdisciplinary cooperation is unavoidable