jump to the content
Advanced search

State of Conservation (SOC)

Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn (2005)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

High-rise building project to the east of the Gardens, in the visual axis from the Gloriette (of Schönbrunn) and the Vienna City Centre (especially the Cathedral St. Stephan).

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

East of the gardens of Schönbrunn, in the quarter of Meidling, a business centre is under development with an architectural contest initiated by the City of Vienna.  The favoured design includes a high-rise building of 120m.  According to the State Party’s report to the World Heritage Centre, the official decision on the final design is planned for autumn 2005.

The World Heritage Centre has furthermore been informed by individuals claiming that the high-rise building would have a major negative visual impact on the views from the Gloriette (a belvedere on the slope of Schönbrunn Garden) towards the historic city centre of Vienna, in particular its landmarks such as the Cathedral St. Stephan.

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

29COM7B.73
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2. Thanks the State Party of Austria for having provided updated information on the state of the planning process for the area of Meidling;

3. Noting with concern that another high-rise building project is likely to affect the World Heritage property in Vienna,

4. Encourages the State Party to improve specific legislation so as to ensure appropriate legal protection of the historic urban fabric and structure including its visual integrity;

5. Recalls the importance of taking into account the recommendations of the "Vienna Memorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture - Managing the Historic Urban Landscape" referred to in Decision 29 COM 5.3, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005).

6. Urges the State Party to reconsider the height of this building project and to submit alternative solutions with no direct impact on the visual integrity of the property;

7. Requests the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/ICOMOS mission to the property before the decision on the final project is taken;

8. Further requests the State Party to provide an updated report to the World Heritage Committee by 1 February 2006 for examination by the Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006).

Draft Decision: 29 COM 7B.73

The World Heritage Committee,

1.              Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2.              Thanks the State Party for having provided updated information on the state of the planning process for the area of Meidling;

3.              Noting with concern that another high-rise building project is likely to affect the World Heritage property in Vienna,

4.              Encourages the State Party to improve specific legislation so as to ensure appropriate legal protection of the historic urban fabric and structure including its visual integrity;

5.              Urges the State Party to reconsider the height of this building project and to submit alternative solutions with less impact on the visual integrity of the property;

6.              Requests the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/ICOMOS mission to the property before the decision on the final project is taken;

7.              Further requests the State Party to provide an updated report to the World Heritage Committee by 1 February 2006 for examination by the Committee at its 30st session in 2006.

Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn
State Party:
Austria
Date of Inscription: 1996
Nomination records (Year): 1995
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iv)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2011
2010
2009
2008
2006
2006
2005
Threats*
  • Housing
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1333

* : 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.