Hanseatic City of Lübeck

• Demolition of certain monuments situated in the protected zone
• Mural paintings needing restoration
  

Lübeck, Germany (C 272rev)

An ICOMOS mission (an urban planner and an urban archaeologist) visited Lubeck in late May 1994, at the request of the municipal authorities, to discuss problems arising from development plans for the city centre. Three main areas of concern were identified, for which possible solutions were proposed.

Investigation of archaeological remains

Lubeck has a rich hidden archaeological heritage, both underground and within standing buildings. Since the end of World War II there has been a series of outstanding urban excavations and the rehabilitation of old buildings has revealed many important features such as wall paintings. These investigations have been possible owing to the relatively slow pace of urban redevelopment in the historic centre. In recent years, however, the pace of this development has increased markedly, with the result that insufficient financial and human resources were available to deal with the flow of planning applications being received.

The mission proposed a revision of the present heritage protection legislation, on the lines of the Areas of Archaeological Importance in Part H of the UK Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. This would provide a statutory period before the start of development work during which scientific investigations could be carried out. It was also proposed that the statutory protection of historic buildings should be amended so as to permit the designation of all the buildings within a prescribed conservation area, moving away from the existing piecemeal designation system and the resulting administrative overload.

Presentation of heritage

The mission made proposals for the better display and presentation to the general public of archaeological finds that survive in situ within cellars and elsewhere within the city but which are at present inaccessible. This will heighten the awareness on the part of the inhabitants of Lubeck of the city's rich heritage and assist in improving their attitude towards it.

Development strategy

A conflict was perceived in Ldbeck between heritage conservation and tourist potential on the one hand and a policy for economic growth on the other. The mission stressed the need for the development of an integrated strategy that would permit both objectives to be achieved.

Recommendation

ICOMOS recommends that the authorities in Lubeck be encouraged to revise its heritage protection legislation so as to allow sufficient time for the proper investigation of the city's rich archaeological heritage and to implement measures to make the important archaeological and artistic discoveries accessible to the general public. It also recommends that the authorities should seek the assistance of an experienced international planning consultancy in the preparation of an integrated development strategy which reconciles the competing objectives of heritage conservation, tourism, and economic growth.