Urban Heritage After War Destruction: Heritage Dynamics in the Buffer Zone of Aachen Cathedral

The devastation of cultural heritage after the Second World War led to the establishment of international organisations committed to its protection, such as UNESCO. The near-total destruction of Aachen’s historic city centre led to profound changes, including reconstruction and the incorporation of contemporary architecture, which established a new heritage identity. Against the backdrop of the reconstruction and reaffirmation of European identity, Aachen Cathedral was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. Since then, the concept of heritage has evolved to encompass a broader and more inclusive understanding. In 2013, it incorporated a buffer zone to protect the cathedral’s surroundings. In this scenario, the question arises: how is the coexistance between the historical and the contemporary within a UNESCO heritage context? The main objective is to analyse the coexistance between the heritage of historic and contemporary buildings within the buffer zone of Aachen Cathedral. We base the methodology on a comparative study of the catalogue files of 405 protected buildings, taking into account variables such as the year of protection, date of construction, possible reconstructions and current uses. Preliminary results suggest that only 4% were protected after 2013, or that 55% of the buildings have been rebuilt. The results improve our understanding of the management and evolution of historic urban complexes in the context of UNESCO. It can be concluded that the concept of heritage goes beyond mere historical or universal significance, encompassing aspects such as identity and continuity, as well as the integration of contemporary interventions into the historical fabric.