On the occasion of his retirement, Professor Klaus Werk initiated a series of conferences as a final contribution to his colleagues and to the Kulturlandschaft (cultural landscapes) center of excellence. The series also represented a contribution to the Institute of Continuing Education (GIW), where he held the position of head of the institute for many years. The first conference, entitled “Under pressure for change: Cultural landscapes in 2030” took place on December 13, 2018 with 80 participants from the science sector, various associations and the professional sector. The “Northwest Landscape Forum” event was part of the “Decade of Action for Landscapes in Europe (2018-2027)” (DALE) initiative by CIVILSCAPE Europe, a European network of 132 non-profit organizations from 32 countries.
The event was inaugurated by the President of Hochschule Geisenheim University, Hans Reiner Schultz, followed by a speech on competition for land by Professor Jessel, President of the Federal Department of Nature Conservation and member of the university committee. Stating that landscapes are multi-coded, Professor Jessel recommended a three-pronged approach: Influencing through strengthening regional and landscape planning, creating through close examination of landscapes and the using of new opportunities for change, and cooperating through open and constructive dialogue. Professor Andreas Mengel from Kassel University presented a new concept relating to heritage landscapes in Germany – he stated that there is no contradiction between preserving what evolved naturally in the course of history and developing new, environmentally-friendly uses for these landscapes.
Doctor Dirk Gotzmann, head of CIVILSCAPE Europe, gave an overview of DALE (Decade of Action for Landscapes in Europe), focusing on the importance of the European Landscape convention. The convention was signed by every member of the European Union except for Germany and Austria. Doctor Jürgen Metzner, head of the German Association for Landscape Planning (DVL) discussed the Gemeinwohlprämie (public interest award) model that aims to use landscapes sustainably and in accordance with European agriculture policies. Doctor Franke from the Leipzig Scientific Committee focused on historical dimensions of landscapes. He advocates an interdisciplinary approach involving historians and preservationists. Jörg Nitsch, who has been an advocate of active citizenship for many years and committed member of Friends of the Earth Germany talked about insect mass extinction in the context of the current political situation in Germany. Professor Klaus Werk and Professor Eckhard Jedicke both acted as moderators of the evening’s events.
Following this year’s successful event, there are now plans to organize the Geisenheim forum for cultural landscapes once a year. At the end of the evening, Klaus Werk said good-bye to conference participants at a sparkling-wine reception, but an official farewell ceremony is going to take place on March 22, 2019 at 1.30 p.m. in the Gerd-Erbslöh lecture hall. Please use the following link for registration:
https://veranstaltungen.hs-geisenheim.de/event/bVZZLw/feierliche-verabschiedung-prof-klaus-werk
