Eremenko I.A. World Heritage City status — a «kiss of death» or a resource in a conflict of interest? The case of Stralsund and Wismar. Urbanistika [Urban studies], 2019, Issue 3, pp. 28-36.

Òåêñò ñòàòüè íà ñàéòå æóðíàëà URL: https://e-notabene.ru/urb/article_30560.html (äàòà îáðàùåíèÿ 01.10.2019)

Abstract

This paper examines how the status of World Heritage Cities (WHC) affects urban changes and what conflicts arise in connection with it. Does this status hinder possible changes or is it a resource in a conflict of interest? Two German cities with joint WHC status, Wismar and Stralsund, were chosen as cases. Empirically, this study draws upon interviews with the city administration, local activists, employees of museums and tourist centers, and representatives of local business. In addition, a qualitative analysis of materials from two Facebook groups was employed: an official group of the city administration, and a group of the Green party of Stralsund. According to the study, the status of WHC imposes severe restrictions on changes to the urban space but does not make them completely impossible. Additionally, the WHC status is widely used by different actors in various conflict situations. The city administration uses the status in attempts to change or preserve certain parts of the city’s territory.