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BHU-Resolution "Cultural landscape in danger!"

Schwerin Statement of our German member Bund Heimat und Umwelt (BHU) e.V.

At its annual meeting in Schwerin, said the Bund Heimat und Umwelt in Deutschland (BHU), which represents half a million members:

We must recognize that our landscape in Germany changed in an alarming way. Natural areas will be pushed back. Natural and cultural monuments are faced a declining attention. This leads towards a loss of home. New highways and bridges, wind power and biogas plants, wholesale markets on the green lawn and large commercial and development areas leading day by day to a landscape consumption of more than 100 hectares. This development has not only to be stopped, it must be countered conceptually!

We recognize the purpose of the (German) federal government, the land use of currently around 100 hectares per day to reduce the daily use to 30 ha by the year 2020. This ambitious target should be done in coordination with public institutions such as professional associations of civil society according to a schedule that has to be established. The legal instruments are available. What exists is an implementation problem.

a) revitalization of the centers must have priority

The space management is a mainstream task and should be managed in a cooperation of officials with interested citizens and professionally oriented organizations. Pre-ranking is the emphasis be placed on the revitalization of urban centers and population centers, thus the creation of vibrant cities and the strengthening of their historic cores. The priority is the inner development of city centers.

b) civic participating from the beginning
Some mistakes in the conservation of our natural and cultural landscapes are due to the fact that citizens and associations are not early enough involved in planning processes. BHU is expecting that its regional associations like the federal association will be involved at the initial phase.

c) Germany should not trail behind the rest of Europe

To make it mandatory for planning and support requirements BHU is still demanding that the Federal Republic in this legislative period should adopted the European Landscape Convention which was opened for the signature by the Council of Europe 10 years ago. It contradicts the public statements of various federal governments that Germany is still one of the last three EU countries that have not signed the Convention. Germany, in many areas of the cultural landscape quite involved, should not bring up the rear in issues of landscape preservation.

We addressed this appeal to municipalities, cities and counties as well as to the states and the federal government.