History of park and garden design

From the medieval garden to the gardens of the Renaissance and Mannerism, the Baroque, the English garden and eclectic gardens through to contemporary trends, the most important periods in the development of the European garden are presented. At the same time, the focus is broadened to include important international trends in historical garden design such as Persian and Islamic gardens as well as Chinese and Japanese gardens. The typical characteristics of the respective epoch are worked out and at the same time outstanding individual gardens are analysed as paradigms of their type.

The aim is to understand that gardens are not just collections of plants, but can also express social status and power relations, reflect views of nature and different relationships between the 'inside' and 'outside' of the associated buildings, and that they represent dialogues between nature and culture. The different types of gardens not only form aesthetic units, but are also part of a broader socio-political context. The design of each garden reflects the philosophical approach of its creator and, in a broader sense, is also embedded in the respective social context.

The reflection of social conditions and the development of social visions also applies in particular to the public parks created from the 19th century onwards, which became essential elements of urban development. In addition, some park types were motors for the development of ideas for the socialisation of urban vegetation and new models for living together in the city.

The course aims to teach students that today's gardens and parks are also part of a historical tradition, while developing their own unique characteristics in response to social and environmental challenges.