LOCAL ACTION PLAN City of Regensburg April 2011

Photograph: Nürnberg Luftbild, Hajo Dietz THE CITY OF REGENSBURG

REGENSBURG HAS APPROXIMATELY 147.000 INHABITANTS OUT OF WHICH ABOUT 15.000 LIVE IN THE HISTORIC CITY CENTRE. BEING A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF A MEDIEVAL TRADING TOWN THE OLD TOWN OF REGENSBURG HAS BEEN INSCRIBED ON THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST IN THE YEAR 2006.

Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, locat- The most important cultural heritage sites are: ed at the confluence of the Danube and Regen • the Dom (Cathedral, very interesting example of pure rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. German Gothic, it counts as the main work of Gothic archi- Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian admin- tecture in Bavaria); istrative region ‘Upper Palatinate’. Its population • the Stone Bridge (built 1135–1146, a highlight of medieval is about 147,000. The town measures 81 km2, bridge building); the historic city centre is about 183 hectares in • the Church of St. James (Romanesque basilica of the size. 12th century); • the old parish church of St. Ulrich (a good example of the The first settlements in Regensburg date to the Stone Age. Transition style of the 13th century); The Celtic name ‘Radasbona’ was the oldest name given • the church of Obermünster to a settlement near the present city. The large medieval • and the abbey church of St. Emmeram (examples of centre of the city with well preserved original basic outline Romanesque basilica style); of the 14th century is since 2006 a UNESCO World Heritage • the Town Hall (dating in part from the 14th century); Site. It covers an area of 1.83 km2 with 15.000 inhabitants • St. Emmeram's Abbey (huge castle owned by the Thurn and 984 monuments. Public buildings, private residences and Taxis family). and the imposing grounds of churches, monasteries and religious foundations contribute to an authentic picture of Further information: medieval urban culture and architecture. http://www.worldheritage-regensburg.de

The City of Regensburg (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) Local Challenges

Regensburg historic centre is in a very good condition. heritage, in particular to international tourists and to guiding Most buildings are professionally restored and the heritage systems; values are preserved. There is a vital mixture of housing, • To secure the multi-functionality of the historic centre and retail facilities and restaurants. Nevertheless, Regensburg’s balance the (conflicting) needs of the stakeholders, in par- major task is to maintain its cultural heritage values. ticular the demands of retailers, tourists and inhabitants Furthermore, the overall city is growing rapidly, thus steadi- (e.g. increasing product offers for tourists and decreasing ly increasing the pressure on the housing market. The supply for inhabitants, lack of supermarkets in the Old demand for new infrastructure, modern buildings to cope Town); with new communal functions and for improvement of the • To improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings. public transport scheme needs is increasing and has to be well-balanced with the protection of the tangible and intan- Further Regensburg is going to focus on the following gible cultural heritage assets. issues: • Development of a management system for the historic Key problems and challenges concerning “Visual integrity” urban landscape together with relevant stakeholders; of the historic urban landscape are: • Setting up of a ‘Steering committee’ for the Old Town, • To develop and implement new instruments to preserve which serves to early recognize possible conflicts of urban the visual integrity of the historic urban landscape; planning developments and to warrant the compatibility of • To integrate new architecture into the historic cityscape construction measures with needs of the historic urban without harming the historic, spatial and townscape char- landscape; acteristics; • Improving communication and cooperation with and • To develop a methodology to adjust large-scale projects between the stakeholders in support of the protection and to the development needs of the historic urban landscape further development of the historic urban landscape. and to decide about their importance; • To integrate large-scale structures (e.g. large-scale retail) into the small-scale historic structure; • To integrate new telecommunication infrastructure into the historic centre; • To communicate the cultural heritage values to the different target groups.

Key problems and challenges concerning the “Integrated revitalisation to balance/adapt the uses/functions of the historic urban landscape to the different stakeholder needs” are:

• To improve multimodal public transport in the historic centre (mobility); • To strengthen the historic centre as location for local and (sub-)regional retail trade, keeping a good balance of traditional local stores and chain stores; • To support new business ideas (in particular in relation to the demographic change) to settle their businesses in the historic city centre • To strengthen the housing function for multiple target groups (families, cross-generational housing; handicapped; currently flats are converted to – more lucrative – single apartments); • To improve the attached housing infrastructure (court- yards, adjacent public space in front of buildings, parking for inhabitants, etc. to improve the quality of life) • To make it a true experience and to market the cultural Hinter der Grieb (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) Overview of experiences and good-practice ing relocation of retail trade) thus, strengthening the retail examples location. For this the post of „Person in charge of the Old Regensburg has set up a number of policies and manage- Town” was established to assist and advise new start-ups, ment strategies to safeguard the cultural heritage values existing businesses, house owners and real estate agents and the sustainable development of the historic urban land- in taking the “right” decision. scape. The most important are: • Business Founder Project: Encouragement of innovative • Design Advisory board (Gestaltungsbeirat): It is a useful business start-ups via the pilot project Foundation Agency and effective board, which aims to supervise the integration Regensburg and the supportive service of Start-up Capital. of new architecture into the historic cityscape and to ensure The pilot project facilitates business start-ups by linking all that new developments in the historic city centre are of high participants and providing extensive, neutral and qualified quality and are compatible with the heritage assets; advice and assistance. Start-up Capital Regensburg allows • Integrated vision/ concept for the retail development start-ups without having sufficient funding, in many cases (recently developed): Framework for the development of in favourable i. e. low-cost locations; retail trade in the Old Town targeting retailers, citizens and • Accessibility of the Old Town: Coordinated mobility system city administration. The model will be used by the city within a pedestrian zone, which is partly open to (individu- administration for the further development trade framework al) motorized traffic; and the Old Town “Management Plan" and "Development • Multifunctionality: Achieving a mix of residential uses and Plan”; retail facilities (working and living); • Old Town Protection Statues (Altstadtschutzsatzung): The • Public space: Creating benefical conditions for purpose of the statute is to implement building measures Regensburg’s citizens; and advertising which show consideration and respect for • Tourism: Marketing itself as traditional identity. the existing historic buildings and for indigenous styles of design and their traditional rules. The statute applies to Contact outside walls, roofs, roof superstructures and segments, Mr Matthias Ripp, windows and other openings, balconies, railings, overhead World Heritage Coordinator of Regensburg lines, antennas, enclosures and advertising billboards; [email protected] • Concept for an information centre for the World Heritage area: Target groups are tourists, inhabitants, professionals Website and children, which will be presented the theme of the www.regensburg.de UNESCO world cultural heritage in general and of www.worldheritage-regensburg.de Regensburg in particular…; • Events to communicate the cultural heritage values of a Managing Authority place to different target groups. The Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology Further Regensburg has profound experience in: • Urban rehabilitation programs and preserving historic monuments; • Cross-sectoral departmental co-operation via "Future workshops" to ensure a comprehensive view of the subject "Old Town"; • Pact for the Old Town: The Pact for the Old Town is a strategic alliance of concerned public and private actors, which is looking ahead regarding Regensburg’s Old Town and therefore developing an overall concept and arrangements, accountig the realization in trade-off and corporately campaigning for the location. • Retail Trade: Spatial Clustering and Vacancy Management: Via biannual census of retail businesses and vacancies in the historic centre, classes of businesses in the same or similar commercial sectors are created (clusters) as well as a “vacancy map” via geocoding (GIS). The results are used to upgrade and strengthen the clusters (filling the vacancies with the “fitting” retail in the location or support- Arnulfsplatz (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) Good-Practice-Examples from Regensburg (as projects can be derived. part of the HerO Good-Practice-Compilation pub- The project aimed at strengthening the multi-use function lished in April 2009) of the Old Town in general and the retail use as its most important asset in particular. What is special about the Old I. Old Town of Regensburg – Retail Concept Town are the multitude and diversity of functions which 2020 therefore need to be maintained. The main questions had Background and reason for the project been: • Difficult situation of the retail trade in the old town (i.e. • how can retail remain economically sound/viable, declining store flats) • how can mobility and traffic be reasonably organised, • Old Town retail vs. shopping centres • how can working and living be up to modern living conditions, According to the principle of representation there were two • how can public space be created and designed to attract strategic conferences uniting citizens, representatives of people, the economy, society and city administration. They dis- • how can tourism be authentic and cussed the current situation, opportunities, risks and pros- • how can the built cultural heritage be used and preserved pects relating to retail and influential factors affecting retail at the same time. in the Old Town. Careful public relation kept informing the citizens (i.e. the inhabitants) and ensured their participa- KEY STEPS AND ACTIVITIES tion. The key activities were two strategy conferences to discuss Subsequently, they developed guidelines for the topics and find the approaches to future retail in the Regensburg retail – traffic – working/living – public space – tourism – Old Town. The concept development has been assisted by protection of historic buildings and structures/world heri- constant discussion and coordination according to the prin- tage which were in the next step put in concrete terms by ciple of representation (citizens and representatives of the means of sub-goals and projects. The participation process economy, society and city administration). The guidelines is based on the “Manual on public information meetings were resolved by the city council. and public participation processes” which had been developed by the city. Developing a retail concept was a project of the city of Regensburg as a project partner of the EU-project Hist. OBJECTIVES Urban. Developing a vision of retail trade for 2020: • Guidelines for retail development in minor locations in the RESULTS AND IMPACTS Old Town centre; • More confidence in the administration as a result of the • Definition of basic conditions in the major fields of communication process with the inhabitants and the net- action; works of institutions, associations and individuals – “learn- • A basis from which objectives, strategies, measures and ing from each other and with each other“. • Increased awareness of house owners for the impact of their actions on their neighbourhood.

LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS • In many cases the administration can only give an input and act as a moderator of the process, the actual implementation depends, however, on the individual citizen and retailers respectively. • Active involvement of citizens in the process is necessary for transparency, legitimation and creative inputs. • Complex interconnections call for interdisciplinary approaches. • There needs to be a person in charge who accompanies and coordinates the process and the actions. • The guidelines were distributed to every household so that the public can control whether the measures are implemented. Etagére, Wahlenstrasse (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) Good-Practice-Examples from Regensburg (as part of the HerO Good-Practice-Compilation pub- lished in April 2009)

II. Pact for the Old Town Background/ reason for the activity • Growth of commercial vacancies and catering use; • Increasing conflicts between different uses; • Right balance between the different functions seemed to be endangered.

Under the umbrella of the city marketing group the pact for the Old Town was established by the municipality, board of trade, retailers, owners of real estate, associations and further initiatives. The so called “Pact for the Old Town” is an initiative for strengthening and developing the Old Town of Regensburg by a multitude of individual projects, for example by the image campaign “Keen on Regensburg – summer in the city”, by the English language courses for the trade and catering sector and by shopping-tourist- guides and real estate forum Old Town.

OBJECTIVES

The Pact for the Old Town of Regensburg is a strategic Obere Bachgasse (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) alliance of concerned actors looking ahead regarding Regensburg‘s Old Town and is therefore aimed to • develop an overall concept and arrangements, • account for the realization in trade-off and port of the work and future projects, realizing the developed • corporately campaign for the location. action plan.

The main objective is to strengthen the position of the Old Town as a location factor generating identity by working RESULTS AND IMPACTS together „With each other, not against each other“. The main results of the pact for the Old Town are the “Living, working, shopping, coming together and having fun enhanced cooperation of the different groups as well as - all of theese work together side-by-side. This multi-use the common awareness of future problems and needs. The function also needs to be maintained in the future and orga- different organisations promote the location with concerned nized with as little conflict as possible.“ actions. In the meantime the amount of vacant stores has significantly diminished and a lot of new retail stores have opened. KEY STEPS AND ACTIVITIES

The Pact for the Old Town as a strategic alliance for the LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS future of the Old Town was founded by all relevant actors (e.g. municipality, board of trade, retailers, owners of real A very important factor for success is the voluntary com- estate, associations and further initiatives). The participants mitment of all involved actors and the permanent care of worked out an approach and action plan, supported the the network. realization and promotion of the Old Town. In October 2005 the pact for the Old Town was presented to the public by the city marketing. All persons and initiatives involved CONTACT DETAILS signed the pact. Thus they committed themselves to sup- Mr Bertram Vogel, City Marketing Regensburg LOCAL ACTION PLAN REGENSBURG

IN THE HERO NETWORK THE LOCAL ACTION PLAN IS DEFINED AS A CONCEPT PAPER THAT DESCRIBES HOW THE PARTNER CITY PLANS TO ELABORATE AN INTEGRATED CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THEIR OLD TOWN AREA

Haidplatz (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg)

WORK PLAN FOR THE ELABORATION OF A CULTURAL HERITAGE INTEGRATED MANAGE- MENT PLAN (CHIMP) FOR THE OLD TOWN OF REGENSBURG (AS OF JULY 2009)

Name of the Organisation, Country ment plan (CHIMP) for its old town area including strategies City of Regensburg, World Heritage Coordination Unit, for the safeguarding of the World Heritage site and its sus- Germany tainable development as well as a management system to steer and monitor the safeguarding and development pro- Objectives of the Cultural Heritage Integrated cess. The CHIMP will be coordinated and agreed upon Management Plan within the public administration and with the main private The main objectives the City of Regensburg wants to stakeholder groups. It includes concrete as well as norma- achieve with the Cultural Heritage Integrated Management tive statements towards the objectives, policies, measures, Plan are: - Safeguarding the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site strategy and structures for the safeguarding and sustain- “Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof” able development of the ”Old Town of Regensburg with - Securing the multifunctionality of the Old Town of Stadtamhof”. The measures will be sorted by fields of Regensburg and ensuring a vital and attractive area for actions and by priorities and tuned with the mid-term finan- residents and visitors alike cial planning of the City of Regensburg (the management - Balancing and coordinating the safeguarding of the built plan will contain a strategy and action guide and a local cultural heritage with the sustainable development of the area (social, economic and environmental aspects) by action plan). using an integrated management approach; The Management Plan shall be approved by the City - Coordination and management of (conflicting) needs and interests of all stakeholders concerned (e.g. residents, vis- Council and shall act as concept and action paper for all itors, conservators, etc….) stakeholders of the World Heritage area. It will be reviewed Intended Result and revised at regular intervals. Within the course of the project HerO, the City of Regens- burg will develop an integrated cultural heritage manage- Structure and Content of the Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plan The following structure will serve as a basis to further develop and write out Regensburg’s cultural heritage integrated management plan:

I. Introduction II. Identifying issues II.1 Understanding the site − Description of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof” − Statement of significance and identification of world heritage values/ authenticity/ integrity − Dangers and threats (possible or real) to the world heritage site − Instruments of safeguarding the world heritage values − Existing policies, strategies, concepts, plans, actions, etc. which are of relevance for the world heritage site II.2 Stakeholders, Structures, Procedures − List of relevant stakeholders for the safeguarding and sustainable development of the world heritage site − Structures and procedures for safeguarding and the sustainable development of the world heritage site III. Appraisal III.1 Overall vision for the UNESCO World Heritage site „Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof“ III.2 Field of actions, their principles, objectives and actions Field of actions: − Safeguarding and sustainable development of the world cultural heritage − Culture and Tourism − Economic development − Urban planning and development: Multifunctionality, public space, housing and working, mobility and accessibility − Environmental issues and recreation − Awareness raising and Science III.3 Structures and procedures − Responsibilities for the safeguarding and sustainable development of the ”Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof” − Coordination and Management of the needs of the world heritage and its users (integrated, cross-sectoral administrative structures) − Continuous satisfaction monitoring of the world heritage needs and the needs of its users − Application of the management system: PDCA-cycle − Compliance with the CHIMP − Awareness raising with public and private stakeholders about the value and needs of the world heritage − Integration of the world heritage unit in the development of relevant concepts and measures with regard to the world heritage site. − Settlement of conflicts IV. Implementation and Monitoring IV.1 Action Plan/ Implementation Plan IV.2 Continuous monitoring and review system

The Historic Stone Bridge (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) Work plan Integrated Management Plan (CHIMP); Presentation and discussion of the objectives and outputs of the LSG in 1. SET UP A LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP support of the elaboration of the CHIMP and the expectations Set up of the LSG, involving the main public and private of the LSG members for taking part in that process. stakeholder groups for the safeguarding and sustainable development of the World Heritage site (to secure the 2nd meeting (May 2009): Presentation and discussion of integrated approach). The stakeholders to be involved in the work plan of the LSG in support of the elaboration of the process have been appointed by Regensburg’s World the CHIMP; Presentation and discussion of the analysis of Heritage Steering Group (Summer 2008) the existing concepts, plans, studies, instruments of relevance for the world heritage site and its consequences 2. EXTERNAL EXPERT for the further acting. Hiring an external expert to write the Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plan (CHIMP) and to moderate 3rd meeting (July 2009): Presentation and discussion of the elaboration process of the CHIMP by involving the LSG the vision, principles and objectives for the world heritage (January 2009). site and its field of actions based on the analysis of the status-quo (integrated approach). 3. ANALYSIS Analysing existing concepts, plans, studies, instruments of 4th meeting (September 2009): Presentation and relevance for the world heritage site by the external expert. discussion of possible measures within the field of actions The LSG members sent corresponding documents to the to support the vision and objectives for the world heritage external expert (March-May 2009). site (integrated approach).

4. REGULAR LSG MEETINGS 5th meeting (December 2009): Presentation and discussion Eight LSG meetings in form of workshops and feedback- of the Management-System to secure the integrated and rounds (every 3 months): management approach of the CHIMP (current structures and procedures and what has to be improved). 1st meeting (January 2009): Presentation and discussion of the objectives of Regensburg Cultural Heritage Integrated

3rd Meeting of Regensburg’s Local Support Group (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) UNESCO World Heritage Site „The Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof“ (Photograph: Nürnberg Luftbild, Hajo Dietz)

6th meeting (February 2010): Presentation and discussion 5. ELABORATION of the local implementation plan (concrete measures) as Elaboration of the Cultural Heritage Integrated Management part of the Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plan Plan (CHIMP) (June 2009 – November 2010). (CHIMP). 6. CITY COUNCIL 7th meeting (April 2010): Presentation and discussion of Approval of the CHIMP by the City Council (end of the year the final structures and procedures to be implemented 2010). within the Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plan (CHIMP). 7. PUBLICATION Editing a publication of the CHIMP for dissemination to the 8th meeting (September 2010): Presentation and public (November 2010 – February 2011). discussion of the Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plan (CHIMP).

Between the meetings the LSG-members provide the expert with necessary information and feedback on interim results. This is done via e-mail communication and telephone. STEPS UNDERTAKEN WITHIN THE HERO PROJECT PERIOD

Facilitating an integrated approach for the elaboration of a Regensburg’s Management Plan, an URBACT Local Support Group involving the most relevant stakeholders in regards to the safeguarding and sustainable development of the UNESCO World Heritage Site „Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof” has been set up at the beginning of the HerO project work in 2008.

The members of the Local Support Group are:

Municipal Departments: • Department for the Preservation of Monuments • Planning Department • Department of Urban Development • Local Building Authority • Department for the Environment • Department for Urban Development Assistance Funds • Department for Economics • Press Office

External Bodies: 3rd LSG Meeting (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) • Tourist Office Regensburg • Chamber of Industry and Commerce • City Marketing Regensburg A series of LSG meetings: • Action Group Old Town In total, since the beginning of the HerO project work in • World Heritage Development Association Regensburg 2008, seven meetings of Regensburg’s Local Support • Bavarian Regional Office for the Preservation of Group took place on a regular basis: Monuments • The Bavarian Ministry of Economics (Managing 1st meeting on 11th August 2008 Authority) 2nd meeting on 26th January 2009 • Two citizens of Regensburg’s Old Town 3rd meeting on 8th May 2009 4th meeting on 2nd June 2009 5th meeting on 15th September 2009 THE STEPS UNDERTAKEN WITH THE LOCAL SUPPORT 6th meeting on 3rd December 2009 GROUP SINCE 2008 ARE: 7th meeting on 11th March 2010 8th meeting on 23rd June 2010 Hiring an external expert: 9th meeting on 8th December 2010 An external expert has been hired in early 2009 to write the “Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plan” for During these meetings Regensburg and to moderate the elaboration process and • the objectives and the work plan of Regensburg’s LSG LSG meetings. have been defined • an analysis of existing concepts has been carried out Analysis of existing concepts: • a vision for the site as well as principles, objectives and An analysis of existing concepts, plans, studies and instru- fields of action for the World Heritage area have been con- ments which are of relevance for the Old Town of jointly determined by the LSG Regensburg has been carried out by the external expert in • a list of concrete measures to support the objectives has collaboration with the members of the Local Support been elaborated Group. • existing processes and structures have been discussed and evaluated. STEPS UNDERTAKEN WITHIN THE HERO PROJECT PERIOD

The six “Fields of Action” identified by the LSG members are:

1. Built Cultural Heritage: According to UNESCO’s requirements, the authenticity and integrity of the World Heritage Site “Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof” are to be preserved. In this Field of Action a careful development of the area will be defined which is in line with the protection of monuments. Furthermore, in February 2009 a public consultation pro- 2. Culture and Tourism: cess has been carried out in cooperation with the LSG The cultural activities in the Old Town address Regensburg’s members. During two days, the process of elaborating a citizens and visitors alike. Furthermore, tourism is an “Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plan” for the Old important economic factor in the World Heritage area. In Town of Regensburg with the Local Support Group has the Field of Action “Culture and Tourism” priority is given been presented to the public and concrete measures for to measures that promote the authentic experience of the the six “Fields of Action” have been discussed with about site. 70 interested citizens.

3. Economic Development: PR activities: The Old Town is the central shopping- and business loca- Last but not least, PR activities have been undertaken in tion of Regensburg and its surrounding. For the Field of order to promote the HerO project work, the elaboration of Action “Economic Development” measures shall be defined the Management Plan for Regensburg’s Old Town as well which consider the preservation of the diversity of uses but as to campaign for the public consultation process. at the same time also the protection of monuments and the interests of businesses. Final Steps: The elaboration process of the Management Plan for the 4. Urban Development and Urban Planning: "Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof" World Heritage The World Heritage Site “Old Town of Regensburg with site is currently in its final phase. The presentation to the Stadtamhof” is characterized by a variety of different uses. City Council is planned for July 2011. The Field of Action “Urban Development and Urban Planning” is focused on issues related to residential use, traffic and urban design.

5. Environmental Issues and Recreation: The green areas and the river banks of the Danube are valuable assets within the World Heritage area and its buf- fer zone. The Field of Action “Environmental Issues and Recreation” therefore focuses on leisure activities as well as on environmental and climatic issues.

6. Awareness Raising and Science: The World Heritage Site is an important icon. The Field of Action “Awareness Raising and Science” will centre measures that deal with initiatives, activities and science related to the World Heritage Site “Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof”. Both pictures: Public Consultation Process, February 2010 Public Consultation Process: (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) RESUME

Within the frame of the HerO network activities, the nine 3. The District Government of Upper Palatinate as well as HerO partner cities developed a new approach to elabora- the State of Bavaria as the Managing Authority of the ERDF tion of a management plan, parallely applying it on the Operational Programme were from the beginning involved ground. From the beginning the focus was not only on into the elaboration process of the Management Plan. protection of the cultural heritage, but also on sustainable socio-economic development of the Old Town area. 4. The Management Plan will be realised as a practical Following the principles of integration and public involve- working basis and it will be regularly updated. In order to ment, the Management Plan working group was created, make this happen, the Management Plan working group which included municipal as well as external experts. will meet annually. The involvement of citizens will take place every two years. The topic of World Heritage was realised as a communal cross-cutting issue, since it concerned many areas of social In general, the elaboration process of the Management life. During the two years of the Management Plan working Plan as well as the obtained results can be evaluated as phase, the stakeholders were involved in a direct dialog, very successful. The UNESCO World Heritage in where the mission statement, goals and actions for the "Old Regensburg will thus be more perceived as a joint com- Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof" World Heritage site munity mission, not only within the administrative authori- were defined. ties but also within the urban community.

The methods applied to the Management Plan are different from other planning instruments in many ways:

1. The integrated process involved participation of a number of stakeholders, who worked out strategies and actions through direct continuous cooperation.

2. Due to the chosen working mode it was possible to develop on concrete actions next to overall goals.

View to the Old Town (Photograph: Peter Ferstl, City of Regensburg) URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development. It enables cities to work together to develop solu- tions to major urban challenges, reaffirming the key role they play in facing increasingly complex societal challenges. It helps them to develop pragmatic solu- tions that are new and sustainable, and that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions. It enables cities to share good practices and lessons learned with all professionals involved in urban policy throughout Europe. URBACT is 300 cities, 29 countries, and 5,000 active participants. URBACT is co-financed by the ERDF Funds and the