This working group is concerned with the historic development of the garden and park as a cultural phenomenon. Chronology and characteristics of the development of garden design from classical antiquity to the present are a central issue as are the works, approaches and ideas of their designers. The design treatment of gardens and outdoor spaces within the broader context of the politics, philosophy, art, architecture, urban design and cultural landscape development that shaped them is also of central consideration.

- Origins of garden art; paradise garden myths
- Myths of the Arcadian landscape
- Classical gardens - Greece and Rome
- Mediaeval gardens - Monasteries, Castles
- Moorish gardens in Spain
- Renaissance gardens - origins and examples in different countries
- Baroque gardens - origins and examples in different countries
- Classical landscape gardens - origins and examples in different countries
- Romantic landscape gardens - origins and examples in different countries
- Chinese, Japanese and other Oriental gardens
- Municipal public parks and the Volkspark Movement
- Arts and Crafts gardens and Art Nouveau
- Modernist parks and gardens
- Ecological parks and gardens (Naturgärten)
- Postmodernism
- World fairs, Garden shows and Theme parks
- Conservation and restoration of historic gardens - philosophy, paradigms
- International charters, agreements and organisations - ICOMOS, Florence Charter
- People: designers, patrons, thinkers
- Development of the landscape architecture profession
- Relationship with the history of art and architecture
- Social, intellectual and cultural context
- History of the use of plant material
- Plant collectors and imperialism
- Garden archaeology methods and techniques