THE URBAN PLANNING PROTECTION OF THE MONUMENTS IN GERMANY ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE INNERE NEUSTADT DISTRICT IN THE CITY OF DRESDEN

Abstract

The issues of preserving the historical valuable architectural and urban environment are of paramount importance in Germany, primarily due to the rapid development of modern technologies regarding the regeneration of cities. There is a certain threat posed by new methods such as energy saving technologies. Germany, like all countries, faces the challenge of bringing cities into line with the requirements of a modern developed city, while preserving the identity of historic urban areas in a process of gentle regeneration. In addition, historically, over a long period of time, Germany was divided into East and West, which made it possible, when unified in 1990, to develop several unique methods for preserving the historical environment and uniting the country into a single whole. These include the developed program «Urban Planning Protection of Monuments» (German: Städtebaulicher Denkmalschutz) within which it is possible to preserve the integrity and authenticity of historical quarters by ensuring the interaction of urban planning authorities and the preservation of monuments, the participation of citizens as initiators and engines of the process, strict, purposeful activities of the municipality, a clear task and support from side of the federal government. An analysis of the experience of this program shows the need for cohesive work at the administrative level, during which individual stages of the development of a historically valuable architectural and urban environment are controlled and at the same time the citizens actively participate, as well as an expert assessment of the implementation of the program conducted by an independent expert body. The methodology and experience of applying this program, which has been operating for more than 20 years, shows the successful preservation of the historical environment and distinguishes Germany from other countries with the highest density of protected cultural heritage and a large number of not only single monuments, but urban planning ensembles and centers of historical cities. This technique may be useful for other countries.