Cologne Cathedral
Factors affecting the property in 2003*
- Housing
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2003
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2003**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2003
WHC:
A master plan adopted in mid-2002 for Cologne’s quarter of Deutz on the right bank of the Rhine River, foresees several high-rise buildings (height: 100 to 149 m) situated in the view axis of the Cathedral. By letter dated 8 October 2002 addressed to the Mayor of the City of Cologne, ICOMOS drew attention to the problem. The plan is currently presented to the public and to the citizens’ participation; no final decisions have been taken yet. The current planning is part of a general master plan for the city centre, foreseeing more high-rise projects in other parts of the city (there is not yet a comprehensive high-rise plan for the city of Cologne). A workshop on high-rise buildings was due to take place at the beginning of 2003, organized by the City of Cologne.
ICOMOS:
ICOMOS considers that the situation needs to be investigated and that UNESCO should send an expert mission to Cologne, as well as sending a written inquiry to the City.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2003
27 COM 7B.63
Cologne Cathedral (Germany)
The World Heritage Committee [38],
1. Noting the information provided by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS on the current situation at the property,;
2. Recalling paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines, inviting States Parties to provide information to the World Heritage Centre in case of major planning decisions affecting a World Heritage property,;
3. Requests the State Party and City of Cologne to collaborate with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS in the review of the building plans;
4. Requests the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to arrange a mission to the property in consultation with the State Party ;
5. Further requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on the situation to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
[38] Decision adopted without discussion.
Draft Decision: 27 COM 7 (b) 63
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Noting the information provided by the Centre and ICOMOS on the current situation at the site,
2. Recalling paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines, inviting States Parties to provide due information to the Centre in case of major planning decisions affecting the site,
3. Requests the City of Cologne to collaborate with the Centre and ICOMOS in the review of the building plans and to invite a mission to the site,
4. Further requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on the situation by 1 February 2004 for the consideration by the Committee at its 28th session, in 2004.
Germany
Exports
* :
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.
