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State of Conservation (SOC)

Cologne Cathedral (2007)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**

Workshop of November 2003

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

a) Urban development pressure through high-rise building project impacting on the visual integrity of the Cathedral as a landmark;

b) Lack of buffer zone.

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

Current conservation issues

a) Urban renewal of Deutz:

A workshop procedure has been put in place to design a planning framework for the site of Cologne/Deutz, the ICE railway terminal and its surroundings. The report dated 20 January 2007 by the State Party presented the results of the workshop to define three solutions for the neighbourhood around the Kölnmesse/Deutz train station, which would be compatible with the World Heritage status. Based on the three proposals, framework requirements have been formulated for the planning decisions that will be adopted by the city council meeting during March 2007. The council is also waiting for a real-estate analysis to assess which project, under economic considerations, would have the greatest chance for implementation.

b) Buffer zone:

On 14 December 2006, the city council of Cologne adopted the decision to establish a buffer zone with extension to the east bank of the Rhine. A draft map with the new proposed boundaries for the buffer zone was received by the World Heritage Centre.

The State Party, in its state of conservation report, assured the World Heritage Centre that any future planning decisions and measures regarding the buffer zone of the World Heritage property will take into account the Vienna Memorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture, Managing the Historic Urban Landscape (2005).

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

31COM7B.110
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1.       Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/7B,

2.       Recalling Decisions 29 COM 7A.29 and 30 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 29th (Durban, 2005) and 30th (Vilnius, 2006) sessions respectively,

3.       Notes with satisfaction the urban planning consultation process undertaken for the development of the Deutz area and recalls the need to take into account the recommendations of the Vienna Memorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture, Managing the Historic Urban Landscape (2005);

4.       Takes notes that a buffer zone, including the right bank of the river, has been proposed, and urges the State Party to submit it officially in accordance with the Operational Guidelines by 1 February 2008;

5.       Also urges the State Party to present details of appropriate protective measures for the buffer zone;

6.       Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre an updated report by 1 February 2008 on the final decision concerning the proposals of urban development in the Deutz area for examination by the Committee at its 32nd session in 2008.

Draft Decision: 31 COM 7B.110

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/7B,

2. Recalling Decisions 29 COM 7A.29 and 30 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 29th (Durban, 2005) and 30th (Vilnius, 2006) sessions respectively,

3. Notes with satisfaction the urban planning consultation process undertaken for the development of the Deutz area and recalls the need to take into account the recommendations of the Vienna Memorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture, Managing the Historic Urban Landscape (2005);

4. Takes notes that a buffer zone, including the right bank of the river, has been proposed, and urges the State Party to submit it officially in accordance with the Operational Guidelines by 1 February 2008;

5. Also urges the State Party to present details of appropriate protective measures for the buffer zone;

6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre an update report by 1 February 2008 on the final decision concerning the proposals of urban development in the Deutz area for examination by the Committee at its 32nd session in 2008. 

Cologne Cathedral
State Party:
Germany
Date of Inscription: 1996
Nomination records (Year): 1983, 1995, 2008
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(ii)(iv)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Threats*
  • Housing
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC-07/31.COM/7B
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1044
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 2004 -2006
Threats to the Site:
  • Urban development pressure through high-rise building project impacting on the visual integrity of the Cathedral as a landmark;
  •  Lack of buffer-zone

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.