Landscape dynamics in Germany

Modern lifestyles, new demographic trends, and the expansion of the Europea n Community are changing the European countryside. At stake are cultural la ndscapes, their richness in wildlife, historical interest, scenic beauty, a nd the recreational opportunities they provide. Visible phenomena of change are symptoms of a growing socio-economic and ecological disparity between different regions. Agreements on AGENDA 2000 European policy provide a new platform for regional and agricultural development. The paper explores whic h landscape dynamics are in store. Employing examples from rural Germany, t he paper presents corridors of possible futures for unique, and at the same time, dynamic places. Modem strategies of landscape and urban planning are discussed which aim at closer co-operation between a multitude of stakehol ders, policy makers, planners, and other agents of change. Methods and tool s are needed to build consensus among ever increasing numbers of participan ts representing potentially wide ranges of values. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.