New expertise for the protection of historic buildings in Tyrol
Six new members for the Advisory Board of Experts for the City and Site Protection Act (SOG)
- SOG protects Baukultur heritage throughout Tyrol
Picturesque town centres, historic municipal offices or traditional farms – there are buildings throughout Tyrol which characterize the typical townscape as part of Tyrol’s architectural heritage. In Tyrol, the preservation of these valuable cultural assets is guaranteed by the City and Site Protection Act (SOG). Individual buildings but also entire ensembles as well as urban and local areas can be placed under protection by the municipalities. If construction projects or conversions take place in these protection zones, the submitted projects are set up by a separate expert advisory board. This week the new members of the Advisory Board were officially appointed, namely the architects Peter Lorenz, Ursula Ortner Mahuschek and Bruno Schwamberger. The architects Andrea Flora, Daniela Kroess and Gunnar Plöner act as alternate members in the future.
“The urban area of Rattenberg or the Ögghöfe in the Kaunertal – these are examples of Tyrolean building culture and witnesses to our history. We have a responsibility to protect this heritage – to preserve our culture and our history, for us and above all for future generations,” said the responsible provincial councilor John Tratter. “I am pleased to be able to introduce six new members of the Expert Advisory Board. With their expertise and commitment, they support us significantly in preserving the valuable buildings throughout Tyrol, preparing them for modern use and filling them with life again.”
About the City and Site Protection Act and the Advisory Board
The City and Site Protection Act was created in 1976 to preserve Tyrol’s architectural heritage. The law has been steadily expanded in recent years. Within the framework of the SOG, municipalities can have city and district parts, groups of buildings or even individual buildings that have a distinctive appearance and are under protection. 21 protection zones in 13 municipalities have already been set up, including in Innsbruck but also in Hall in Tirol and Kufstein.
In the case of construction projects and conversions in the protection zones, the preservation of the distinctive appearance must be preserved. The implementation of construction projects in the protection zones is funded by the state of Tyrol. The Advisory Board also provides support. This expert prepares expert opinions and comments on submitted projects, takes part in architectural competitions and advises project sponsors.
The Advisory Board consists of a representative of the municipality (in Innsbruck two representatives of the city) in which a project is to be implemented, an official of the state and four other experts in the field of monument protection respectively. of architecture and the University of Innsbruck.