Transformation of Cultural Landscapes in the Light of the Idea of Sustainable Development

The article is dedicated to the analysis of evolution of cultural landscapes and their present-day threats. It discusses the factors and stages of transformation of cultural landscapes in relation to natural cycles of changes in the geographical environment in the Holocene. The cultural landscape is dealt with in a comprehensive way as the matrix of human activities and a peculiar palimpsest – the source of meanings and symbols. At the same time, landscape concentrates and reflects human attitudes towards the world. Since the contemporary, aware attitude of the man towards the environment is reflected in environmental ethics, it should also find its expression in sustainable development of landscape. This is why, in the times of ongoing consumption of space, the author points out that the actions related to sustainable development need to be extended onto the physiognomy of the environment or the cultural landscape. These issues concern not only the need for mechanisms and tools for efficient protection, but first of all appropriate designing, management of landscape and, more and more often, social participation. The article also refers to the modern landscape policy, which was included in the European Landscape Convention.