Looking to the past and the future
"The only authentically preserved large medieval city in Germany." This description, together with outstanding historic significance, allowed Regensburg's old city and the island Stadtamhof to attain the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 13th, 2006.
The first year of holding this title was full of events and successes.
If you ask the locals about World Heritage, you will notice one thing above all else - they are proud of their medieval wonder. "The residents have always had very close ties to their city," says Klaus Unger, Cultural Supervisor on the Regensburg city council. "But this has increased even more significantly since the title 'World Heritage Site' was bestowed."
Regensburg's locals are glad to live in a World Heritage Site!
High media interest and increasing international attention
Since Regensburg's nomination as a World Heritage Site, media interest in the city has increased. Journalists and film teams from all over the world have reported on this Danube city.
The title "UNESCO World Heritage Site" has also contributed to increasing worldwide fame for Regensburg. It is a medieval jewel and also a lively and modern metropolis - and this combination is drawing more visitors than ever before. Visitor arrivals and hotel nights have both risen - the telephones in Regensburg's tourist information company ran so hot that a new call centre had to be installed. World Heritage guides and guided walking tours are offered to visitors, helping them discover ancient clues.
A World Heritage manager for Regensburg
Regensburg is in constant contact with other World Heritage Sites. "This flow of information is very important. We can learn a lot from what others have experienced," says Planning and Construction Supervisor Christine Schimpfermann.
For all the work to do with the World Heritage status, a new position was created for a World Heritage manager. The job belongs to Matthias Ripp, who began his work in October 2007.
This position belongs to the Department of Planning and Construction - for a good reason. World Heritage status means responsibility, not only to preserve history, but also to shape the future. The historic heritage site must be maintained as a good place to live, also for the generations to come. It goes without saying that this must be accomplished with proper respect for historic buildings.
Living Heritage
The World Heritage title is now causing lasting consequences in even more careful and intensive considerations regarding the requirements to preserve historic buildings. An innovative committee is planned as Regensburg's direct connection between UNESCO and the site itself. The independent group is to accompany construction developments in the central and buffer zones. Regensburg's city council is to keep it informed of new construction plans, and the committee is intended to act on an advisory basis, should conflicts arise.
Regensburg should continue to be a city for living, working and celebrating in, and it should continue to develop, just as it has for almost 2000 years.