Fragmentation and cultural landscapes: tightening the relationship between human beings and the environment

Fragmentation is a research concept properly belonging to the biosciences and agriculture, yet it is one finding application in the planning and design fields. Cultural landscapes, on the other hand, is a concept uniquely rooted in landscape architecture and resource management. This paper links the two as a means of better grounding each in the decisions and processes affecting countryside planning and rural landuse, although both concepts have applications in urban settings, as well. However, in theory and in practice, both concepts are impacted by the man versus nature paradigm, in which planners and designers are challenged to consider whether human actions are “natural” actions, or whether they belong in a separate philosophical category. This position paper was developed as a keynote speech for the 2000 ISOMUL Conference at the Wageningen University and Research Center in The Netherlands.