The Unesco the world heritage of the historic city center of Vienna at risk. The reason: a controversial high-rise project. The world heritage Committee has placed the district, therefore, now on the list of world heritage in danger.
The world heritage Committee announced its decision on Thursday (06.07.2017) at its meeting in Krakow. As a reason it is called a controversial high-rise project on the Heumarkt. The Unesco prescribes for buildings where a maximum height of 43 metres, planned by the city, however, a residential tower with a height of 66 meters. Originally even a 73 Meter high tower was provided.
The height of the building, as well as other projects would have a negative impact “on the outstanding universal value” of the old town, told the Unesco Committee. The entire Ensemble was in danger.
Criticism from Vienna
The red-green city government criticized the decision: The construction project at the Haymarket was well with the world heritage compatible. Surrounding buildings were higher than the new building. The construction project was decided at the beginning of June by the Vienna municipal administration, the construction is planned for 2019. Also within the city the project is controversial. Critics feared, the city could lose its Status as a world heritage site.
Period up to February 2018
The management of the 1.8-million-metropolis now has to enter a term until February 2018, the ideas of the Unesco. The city of Vienna regretted the step and promised the submission of important documents since the Unesco’ve apparently decided on the basis of false information.
The old city of Vienna with its architecture from the middle ages, the Baroque period and the Gründerzeit was recorded in 2001 in the Unesco world heritage list as a unique city-monument. According to Unesco, it also plays a fundamental role as a stronghold of European music.
ka/ bb (afpd/dpa)