Monday 30 September 2019
Alternative versions of our logo
During our first meeting students created a variety of logo. Before we decided every creator had to explain his or her idea behind - a very interesting part of the process. We proudly present a choice of their ideas:
Saturday 28 September 2019
Cellba dolls
Celluloid dolls have existed since 1896 and are dolls made with
celluloid which is a group of plastic compounds. In 1918 the board of the
Babenhausen Vorschuss- und Kreditverein decided to sell an estate to Heinrich
Schöberl, which had previously been used as a comb factory. From 24 March 1924
it was officially the Celluloid goods factory Babenhausen and the production of
dolls and floating animals began. The company grew fast, 1929 it had more than
100 employee. Someone form almost every family worked there and went
to the so called “Bobbe”.
During the Second
World War, parts of the factory were destroyed by bombs, but they got
reconstructed after the war ended. After the currency reform 1948 the company
made more and more profit. In March 1952 the company had invented two new types
of plastic and sought the name protection for them. Almost the whole production
changed after that. In 1964 Hermann Schöberl, the son of the founder, retired
as a partner and the Cellba story ended in 1966 and an some American company
bought it.
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Heinrich Schöberl, the founder of the factory, always
had a preference for dolls, so he stated to build his own dolls. He took his
daughter’s face as a model for the doll faces. The trademark of this dolls was
a mermaid. This was placed in the neck of the dolls.
The
Cellba dolls of Babenhausen, are old dolls which were first sold in 1938
unclothed and then from 1950 the dolls were sold with cloths, because clothed
dolls came into the trend. From 1938 - 1950 the dolls were made out of
celluloid and after made out of vinyl. The dolls which were made of celluloid
were prepared in several steps. At first they created a draft as a clay model
of which a plaster model was then created and painted. Then they poured a metal
shape that was used as a blowing room for the doll parts. Then the celluloid
was pressed into the right form with hot steam. After the blowing process, the
parts were then slowly cooled in cold water. After the doll parts got polished,
they were built together and got hand-painted in most cases. Celluloid is a
group of plastic which is made out of cellulose nitrate and campher. It is
horny at normal temperatures and malleable at 90-100 degrees. The first
celluloid was made in 1856 by an English man named Alexander Parkes.
From a sports school to an airfield - the barracks of Babenhausen in the Third Reich
Since the
end of the 19th century Babenhausen has been an important military garrison site.
The historic buildings on the barracks grounds were built in 1900 and 1901.
Until the end of the First World War, they were used as accommodation for
artillery and cavalry units and as a reserve hospital.
On 20 July 1933 the SA Brigade 50 of Hessen Darmstadt took over the Babenhausen barracks, which were now used as a "SA sports school". On 8 November 1936 the 2nd section of the artillery regiment 36 moved into the barracks. In September 1938 the Garrison Babenhausen took over the "Wehrkreis Reit- und Fahrschule XII". The airfield Babenhausen was officially established in 1939 as a military airfield and in 1940 it was briefly used by the French campaign. At the end of 1944 air force units were quartered around Babenhausen, whose airplanes were stationed at the "Feldflugplatz Babenhausen". On 16 March 1945 about 400 prisoners had been accommodated in the barracks area. They had been marched on foot from a prisoner-of-war camp in Silesia to Babenhausen and had arrived at Babenhausen in a miserable condition. Nine days later the Americans arrived and occupied the barracks and private homes.
On 20 July 1933 the SA Brigade 50 of Hessen Darmstadt took over the Babenhausen barracks, which were now used as a "SA sports school". On 8 November 1936 the 2nd section of the artillery regiment 36 moved into the barracks. In September 1938 the Garrison Babenhausen took over the "Wehrkreis Reit- und Fahrschule XII". The airfield Babenhausen was officially established in 1939 as a military airfield and in 1940 it was briefly used by the French campaign. At the end of 1944 air force units were quartered around Babenhausen, whose airplanes were stationed at the "Feldflugplatz Babenhausen". On 16 March 1945 about 400 prisoners had been accommodated in the barracks area. They had been marched on foot from a prisoner-of-war camp in Silesia to Babenhausen and had arrived at Babenhausen in a miserable condition. Nine days later the Americans arrived and occupied the barracks and private homes.
Dr. Wilhelm Schulz – a fighter for democracy during the restauration period in the early 19th century
Dr. Wilhelm
Schulz was a political publicist, who spent over forty years fighting for
democracy, popular sovereignty, human dignity and progress in Germany during
the restauration period of the early 19th century.
He was imprisoned in 1834 in the military prison of the castle in Babenhausen because of his “demagogic” writings. He was able to escape in a spectacular way from prison with the help of his wife. They were writing love letters to each other and hid their plans using invisible ink. His wife brought him a table with a hidden saw in the foot of the table. Thanks to this saw he was able to cut open the bars and climb down with a rope. They fled to Strassbourg first and after to Zurich. There he died in 1860.
He was imprisoned in 1834 in the military prison of the castle in Babenhausen because of his “demagogic” writings. He was able to escape in a spectacular way from prison with the help of his wife. They were writing love letters to each other and hid their plans using invisible ink. His wife brought him a table with a hidden saw in the foot of the table. Thanks to this saw he was able to cut open the bars and climb down with a rope. They fled to Strassbourg first and after to Zurich. There he died in 1860.
The castle of Babenhausen
The castle of
Babenhausen was started to be built in the end of the 12th century. It is a water
castle. It is divided in four wings- the west wing, the east wing, the south
wing and the north wing. First the west wing was build, 1460 the east wing was
build. It was followed between 1570 and 1578 by the south wing and the north
wing finished the structure in the 17th Century.
The castle got rebuild more times. At the end the castle was a closed square investment. It had 4 county towers and the wings were 3 to 4 storey massive construction. To protect the castle from outside the first builder the family of Münzenberg build 3 moats. In the castle were many servants like the fountain master, the hunter, the court cook, the yard gardener, the butler, the trumpeter, the wench and people for the towers. Today the castle is 830 years old and you can still see it.
The castle got rebuild more times. At the end the castle was a closed square investment. It had 4 county towers and the wings were 3 to 4 storey massive construction. To protect the castle from outside the first builder the family of Münzenberg build 3 moats. In the castle were many servants like the fountain master, the hunter, the court cook, the yard gardener, the butler, the trumpeter, the wench and people for the towers. Today the castle is 830 years old and you can still see it.
The Territorial Museum in Babenhausen
The eighth grade
of the Open School visited the Babenhausen Territorial Museum in October 2018
to learn about the history of the town.
Some of the results will be presented here, such as Christian Kupferberg or the Hölzerlipps. Both are well known persons of the town history of Babenhausen.
Hölzerlipps
Georg Philipp Lang, called Hölzerlipps, from the Nassau town Roth am Berg, was the leader of a gang of thieves of the same name. Philipp got the name Hölzerlipps by his former activity as a manufacturer of wooden toys and the abbreviation of his name (Lipps =-Phillip). After a raid on a carriage he was arrested and then executed in Heidelberg. He was regarded as the cruelest and most malicious, who could not dampen his own anger and showed an excellent superiority. He was a famous gangster of his time.
Christian Kupferberg
The name Kupferberg is closely associated with Babenhausen. Christian Kupferberg was the son of the Grand Ducal District Tax Collector Joseph Kupferberg. He began training as an export merchant in 1843. He was sentenced to one year in prison for killing a Prussian dragoon lieutenant in a duel with him. Why? Because the lieutenant had insulted his bride. Duels with real weapons were forbidden.
Some of the results will be presented here, such as Christian Kupferberg or the Hölzerlipps. Both are well known persons of the town history of Babenhausen.
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The museum is located in one of the houses of
former noble families of Babenhausen.
Picture: A.Murmann CC-BY-SA 4.0
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Hölzerlipps
Georg Philipp Lang, called Hölzerlipps, from the Nassau town Roth am Berg, was the leader of a gang of thieves of the same name. Philipp got the name Hölzerlipps by his former activity as a manufacturer of wooden toys and the abbreviation of his name (Lipps =-Phillip). After a raid on a carriage he was arrested and then executed in Heidelberg. He was regarded as the cruelest and most malicious, who could not dampen his own anger and showed an excellent superiority. He was a famous gangster of his time.
Christian Kupferberg
The name Kupferberg is closely associated with Babenhausen. Christian Kupferberg was the son of the Grand Ducal District Tax Collector Joseph Kupferberg. He began training as an export merchant in 1843. He was sentenced to one year in prison for killing a Prussian dragoon lieutenant in a duel with him. Why? Because the lieutenant had insulted his bride. Duels with real weapons were forbidden.
The hill graves of Babenhausen
In the
middle Bronze-Age from the 17th century BC, people were buried in hill-graves.
The women were buried with their heads stretched to the east and the men were
buried with their heads stretched to the west. That’s where the epoch got its
name from.
The people believed in the afterlife and gave the deceased ones various grave goods into the graves. The women mostly got jewellery or kitchen-items and the men got weapons or different tools. It is believed that only wealthy people were buried like that because the grave goods were quite expensive and did not match with the lifestyle of an ordinary farmer.
Later the deceased ones were burned at the stake with the grave goods and were buried an urn.
The people believed in the afterlife and gave the deceased ones various grave goods into the graves. The women mostly got jewellery or kitchen-items and the men got weapons or different tools. It is believed that only wealthy people were buried like that because the grave goods were quite expensive and did not match with the lifestyle of an ordinary farmer.
Later the deceased ones were burned at the stake with the grave goods and were buried an urn.
Friday 27 September 2019
Results of interviews with grandparents in Babenhausen about traditions
1. Do you think the
traditions have changed?
2. If so, which ones? And in what way?
3. Which traditions have changed the most?
4 Do you like the changes?
5) In which countries have they changed the most?
6. Do you have family
traditions? Which ones?
7. Do you think that traditions will change in the future?
8. Do you think that a few traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?
9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?
Not everyone can name traditions that did not exist in their youth. Those who name some mention Halloween and Black Friday.
- A tradition that has changed is no longer a tradition. Maybe you should say that fewer people are interested in traditions.
- They have changed a lot.
- Many traditions have changed or evolved.
2. If so, which ones? And in what way?
- Halloween is not a German tradition, but very popular with young people. On the other hand, Walpurgis Night is hardly known anymore.
- Christmas: It used to be a celebration where you pay tribute to God and Jesus - today most people are only interested in gifts.
- In the past, people often met in a restaurant to spend their time.
- In the past, people met from time to time in the "Alte Post".
- Everything becomes more modern. The young people hardly go to the pub to meet and do not help in the country or milk the cows.
- Back then, people always met in pubs.
3. Which traditions have changed the most?
- It is rather the traditions that have to do with family life. In the past, three to four generations lived in the same house, but today nobody wants to look after the elderly anymore.
- Nobody knows each other any more in the village - in the past everyone could know each other by name.
- You hardly know your neighbours - you used to know everyone.
- Christmas has changed a lot and so have the acquaintances in the village.
4 Do you like the changes?
- Changes are normal and belong to further development. Sometimes you have to part with old traditions.
- I don't like the new traditions very much.
- I don't like them - it used to be better.
5) In which countries have they changed the most?
- In those countries where prosperity is very high.
- In Turkey. Eid is no longer a family celebration.
- Christmas is celebrated with the whole family. We take turns with the organization of the celebration.
- At Christmas the gifts are always opened at 18:15.
- Yes, the family dinner on my grandfather's birthday.
- Every Christmas there is a big feast. They are all together.
- On all holidays the family meets and all are together.
- Christmas we all go to church together.
- Eid is the tradition of our family.
7. Do you think that traditions will change in the future?
- The traditions will change as time passes.
- They will certainly change through the many new people.
- Probably they will change through new traditions.
- Yes, if they change now, they will also change in the future.
8. Do you think that a few traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?
- Those who have not grown up with traditions can more easily do without unknown traditions.
- Yes, Valentine's Day is just moneymaking.
- Carnival
- Oktoberfest and Halloween
- There are no unnecessary traditions.
9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?
Not everyone can name traditions that did not exist in their youth. Those who name some mention Halloween and Black Friday.
An interview with my grandfather about traditions
What are traditions?
In the words of my grandfather, he's 72 years old:
Tradition: To receive something that has existed for a long time and was and is lived by many people. Traditions begin with the transmission of experiences and developments. Good and bad experiences can be conveyed. The "good" ones are taken over because they are beneficial, the "bad" ones are conveyed in the expectation that mistakes made will not be repeated.
My grandfather answered my questions as written here:
1. Do you think the traditions have changed?
Yes, I think so because the role of the family in general has changed. The fast-moving times, the demands of daily life and work place higher demands on family schedules. Of course there are exceptions. One such exception is my family. Despite a lot of work, my parents have time for me (the interviewer). We live traditions by organizing family meetings, spend Christmas together, do something with my grandparents and help them when help is needed. That's what I mean by family tradition today.
2. If so, what is it? And in what way?
From my point of view, the traditions that have changed most are those that require a lot of time and money to maintain. This can be seen very clearly from country to country. Family traditions are still very strong in the Eastern European countries. The "head of the family is the man". He sometimes appears like a "Pasha". Or that a man can have several wives, or that adult men can marry children from a certain age. I think it's good that such "traditions" don't exist in Germany because our laws forbid them.
Or the tradition in our country that handicraft businesses such as bakers, butchers, carpenters, innkeepers are no longer passed on within the family is not so good. Because it can be seen that more and more craft businesses in the countryside and cities are disappearing, the master craftsman is partly "extinct". The large retail chains and construction companies dominate the market and I don't like that very much. With the loss of handicraft businesses, jobs are also lost. I don't think that's a good thing either, because this development could lead to more unemployed people.
3. Which traditions have changed the most?
Yes, changes are very important. No matter how old you are. Changes determine life. But, I only support those changes that are important and good for our country and my family. I reject changes that harm our development. I don't think it's good that Germany's "Pisa Studies" have fallen further in comparison with other countries. I don't like the fact that so much can be repaired in schools and that so many lessons are cancelled. I don't think it's good that our roads and motorways are so broken. I don't like the fact that there is so much crime and so few policemen.
5. In which countries have they changed the most?
- In terms of traditions, I would mention Dubai first. There they adjust to European living conditions. You can see that every day on the streets and in the shopping centres.
- Next I would name all European states that once existed in the "EEC" area. EWG = European Economic Community, until 1989/1990.
- Especially Germany's traditions have changed like the tradition of the German language and also the value of German culture in general.
6. Do you have family traditions? Which ones?
- Yes, according to our possibilities (age and income as a pensioner).
- We invite to family reunions or give suggestions.
- We help financially and ideally when our help is needed.
- We don’t let anyone dispute us our traditional holidays or commemoration days and live these, like Easter-Christmas and still some more.
- We cultivate homeland love by volunteering in our community, as long as our age and state of health allows it.
7. Do you think that traditions will change more in the future?
- Yes, I think so. Because time in daily life will become more and more tense and hectic. The fear for the workplace will take over. This leaves less time to cultivate traditions. Excluded are the traditions that people can afford who have the necessary money.
- In Germany, many people who have lived other traditions in their home countries will also change the old traditions in our homeland. This can be positive, but also negative. Our Christian traditions, such as Easter, Whitsun and Christmas, should be cultivated and defended against all other views.
8. Do you think that some traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?
- Yes, I do. I don't need traditions that are against family cohesion.
- Nor do I need traditions that are directed against the development of our country.
9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?
- Yes, I can.
- Turning away from our classical German language.
- Turning away from the importance and responsibility of our teachers.
- Changing respect and esteem for the older generation.
- A departure from respect for the police officers who are jointly responsible for our security.
- Increasingly turning away from the obligation to perform daily tasks, such as going to school, completing apprenticeships or studies, at home supporting parents and siblings when help is needed.
- Help those who really need help. Do not give help to those who only want to live at the expense of others, e.g. if they do not have a regular job, although there is one.
In the words of my grandfather, he's 72 years old:
Tradition: To receive something that has existed for a long time and was and is lived by many people. Traditions begin with the transmission of experiences and developments. Good and bad experiences can be conveyed. The "good" ones are taken over because they are beneficial, the "bad" ones are conveyed in the expectation that mistakes made will not be repeated.
My grandfather answered my questions as written here:
1. Do you think the traditions have changed?
Yes, I think so because the role of the family in general has changed. The fast-moving times, the demands of daily life and work place higher demands on family schedules. Of course there are exceptions. One such exception is my family. Despite a lot of work, my parents have time for me (the interviewer). We live traditions by organizing family meetings, spend Christmas together, do something with my grandparents and help them when help is needed. That's what I mean by family tradition today.
2. If so, what is it? And in what way?
From my point of view, the traditions that have changed most are those that require a lot of time and money to maintain. This can be seen very clearly from country to country. Family traditions are still very strong in the Eastern European countries. The "head of the family is the man". He sometimes appears like a "Pasha". Or that a man can have several wives, or that adult men can marry children from a certain age. I think it's good that such "traditions" don't exist in Germany because our laws forbid them.
Or the tradition in our country that handicraft businesses such as bakers, butchers, carpenters, innkeepers are no longer passed on within the family is not so good. Because it can be seen that more and more craft businesses in the countryside and cities are disappearing, the master craftsman is partly "extinct". The large retail chains and construction companies dominate the market and I don't like that very much. With the loss of handicraft businesses, jobs are also lost. I don't think that's a good thing either, because this development could lead to more unemployed people.
3. Which traditions have changed the most?
- Family traditions
- Traditions of the continuation of family businesses, no matter whether large or small, as for example in craft businesses.
- Non-profit organizations such as volunteer fire brigades, technical relief organizations find less supporters.
Yes, changes are very important. No matter how old you are. Changes determine life. But, I only support those changes that are important and good for our country and my family. I reject changes that harm our development. I don't think it's good that Germany's "Pisa Studies" have fallen further in comparison with other countries. I don't like the fact that so much can be repaired in schools and that so many lessons are cancelled. I don't think it's good that our roads and motorways are so broken. I don't like the fact that there is so much crime and so few policemen.
5. In which countries have they changed the most?
- In terms of traditions, I would mention Dubai first. There they adjust to European living conditions. You can see that every day on the streets and in the shopping centres.
- Next I would name all European states that once existed in the "EEC" area. EWG = European Economic Community, until 1989/1990.
- Especially Germany's traditions have changed like the tradition of the German language and also the value of German culture in general.
6. Do you have family traditions? Which ones?
- Yes, according to our possibilities (age and income as a pensioner).
- We invite to family reunions or give suggestions.
- We help financially and ideally when our help is needed.
- We don’t let anyone dispute us our traditional holidays or commemoration days and live these, like Easter-Christmas and still some more.
- We cultivate homeland love by volunteering in our community, as long as our age and state of health allows it.
7. Do you think that traditions will change more in the future?
- Yes, I think so. Because time in daily life will become more and more tense and hectic. The fear for the workplace will take over. This leaves less time to cultivate traditions. Excluded are the traditions that people can afford who have the necessary money.
- In Germany, many people who have lived other traditions in their home countries will also change the old traditions in our homeland. This can be positive, but also negative. Our Christian traditions, such as Easter, Whitsun and Christmas, should be cultivated and defended against all other views.
8. Do you think that some traditions are unnecessary? Which ones?
- Yes, I do. I don't need traditions that are against family cohesion.
- Nor do I need traditions that are directed against the development of our country.
9. Can you identify traditions that did not exist in your youth?
- Yes, I can.
- Turning away from our classical German language.
- Turning away from the importance and responsibility of our teachers.
- Changing respect and esteem for the older generation.
- A departure from respect for the police officers who are jointly responsible for our security.
- Increasingly turning away from the obligation to perform daily tasks, such as going to school, completing apprenticeships or studies, at home supporting parents and siblings when help is needed.
- Help those who really need help. Do not give help to those who only want to live at the expense of others, e.g. if they do not have a regular job, although there is one.
What is a "Stolperstein"?
"Stolpersteine" or stumbling blocks are very common in German towns. Whoever
walks through a city centre in Germany will repeatedly come across brass stones
(or brass plates)
They are made of brass and are embedded in the pavement. Stumbling blocks are placed to remind one of former residents of the buildings in front of them. These stumbling blocks remind of people who had to flee during the Third Reich or were deported and killed.
The artist Günter Demnig started this memorial practice in 1992. For Demnig it is important to bring remembrance from the central memorial sites into people's everyday lives and thus make the victims more visible. This means that no one can bypass the memorials and ignore them. In any case, the stones bring the names of the victims back to the places of their lives - usually to their last place of residence before escape or deportation.
They are made of brass and are embedded in the pavement. Stumbling blocks are placed to remind one of former residents of the buildings in front of them. These stumbling blocks remind of people who had to flee during the Third Reich or were deported and killed.
The artist Günter Demnig started this memorial practice in 1992. For Demnig it is important to bring remembrance from the central memorial sites into people's everyday lives and thus make the victims more visible. This means that no one can bypass the memorials and ignore them. In any case, the stones bring the names of the victims back to the places of their lives - usually to their last place of residence before escape or deportation.
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| Stumbling blocks in Aschaffenburg, picture A.Murmann |
Stolpersteine by Tobi & Marek
2. "Hey, what's that?"
3. "Here worked Max Mustermann. Arrested XX.XX.XXXX. Died because of imprisonment"
4, "Ahh, it is a Stolpersein."
5. "But what is a Stolperstein?" "I will explain it to you…"
An exhibition on war and human rights in Babenhausen
The exhibition informed among other things about the Geneva Conventions of 1929 / 1949 and the international law of war but also about the war crimes of the Wehrmacht in the Second World War, the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians as well as the handling of war dead and war graves as public places of remembrance.
The IUCN – an organization which cares about our natural heritage
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is a self-financing, non-governmental organization with its headquarters in Switzerland. Many people work there (in DE about 1000) who are also internationally close to each other.
What are they doing? What's the red list?
The IUCN takes care of the data collection and best estimate control of all animals and plants of the world. They have also created the Red List to illustrate which animals/plants are at risk and to tell other organizations where they can help.
What are the criteria?
When a stock is at risk, as in the case of the Malaysian taster animal, immediate measures are taken to conserve the species and its habitat. In addition, employees are sent to check the population regularly. This animal is improving at the moment but this condition can change in no time at all.
What is the general tendency today? And what are the reasons for becoming in danger?
The number of endangered species is increasing rapidly, because the habitat is directly destroyed by humans. Many species are also poached as trophies. In addition, the climate change of the many animals brings in distress.
Who cares? Why should we save species from extinction at all?
It is important to preserve the biodiversity of the earth because it is not nice to be surrounded by only one kind of fish or animal. It is also important to maintain the balance between hunter and hunted as it would be hardening if there were too many herbivores or carnivores
Johannes
IUCN categories of endangerment (Global number of species)
EX - Extinct (872)
EW - Extinct In the wild (69)
CR – Critical endangered (5826)
EN - Endangered (9032)
VU - Vulnerable (11982)
LR / cd – Lower risk - Conservation dependent (209)
LR / nt – Lower risk – near threatened (6153)
LR / lc - Least Concern (47753)
DD - Data deficient (15055)
Two destroyed churches and their fate
Comparison of the Frauenkirche in Dresden and the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin
Both churches, the Frauenkirche in Dresden and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, are Protestant churches. The Frauenkirche was built between 1726 and 1743. The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was completed in 1895. Both churches were destroyed in the Second World War. After the destruction of the Kaiser Wilhelm Church the NS government promised to rebuild the church after the end of the war. But after the end of the war the Allied powers had didn’t want to rebuild it, because Kaiser Wilhelm supported the national socialism in their eyes. In contrast to the Kaiser Wilhelm Church, the Frauenkirche was left standing as a memorial for over 40 years. In 1991 the reconstruction was started. Kaiser-Wilhelm Churchés highly endangered parts were torn down already after 12 years. In the year 1959 a new building of the church in modern style was decided to be built. The old main tower was left standing as a memorial.
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| Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche 1964, CC-BY-SA 2.0, Photographer: Brian Harrington Spier, www.wikipedia.org |
The difference between the two churches is that both were long regarded as memorials but the Frauenkirche was rebuilt because the population exerted pressure. The Kaiser Wilhelm Church, on the other hand, was not rebuilt, as Kaiser Wilhelm was considered to be a NS supporter. A new church was built next to the ruin.
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| Ruin of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, CC-BY-SA 4.0, Photographer: Erich Braun, www.wikipedia.org |
The Red List of World Heritage in Danger
There is not only a list of all world heritage sites, but also a kind of red list of endangered world heritage sites. Changes can affect the heritage to such an extent that it no longer has its original value. Whether it is neglect of care, active destruction through wars and conflicts, or urban intervention.
According to the guidelines for the implementation of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, criteria for vulnerability are the following:
For cultural heritage sites:
Danger identified
- Severe deterioration of material, structure and/or ornamentation (An example from Germany: Dresden lost its World Heritage status through the construction of a bridge over the Elbe, which significantly changed the cityscape).
- Substantial loss of historical authenticity
- Considerable loss of cultural significance
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| The Buddha statue of Bamijan (Afghanistan), left 1928 - right after the destruction by the Taliban in 2016. (public domain, www.wikipedia.de) |
- Change in the legal status of the property which reduces the degree of its protection.
- Lack of a conservation policy
- Impending impacts of regional development projects or urban planning
- Outbreak or threat of armed conflict
- Gradual change due to geological, climatic or other environmental factors
Danger detected
- Serious decline in the population of endangered species or other species of exceptional universal value for the protection of which the World Heritage was created
- Serious damage to the natural beauty or scientific value of the site
- Human interventions at borders or headwaters threatening the integrity of the natural heritage
- Change of legal status as a protected area or lack of protection project (One example was the planned expressway through the Serengeti National Park, which would have severely affected the world-famous migrations of large herds of animals.)
- Outbreak or threat of armed conflict
- Gradual change due to geological, climatic or other environmental factors (One example is the large barrier reef in Australia, which is massively threatened by global warming.)
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| Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti plain picture: CC-BY-SA 4.0, Daniel Rosengren www.wikipedia.de |
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