ICOMOS Germany Spring School 2024
Learning from Ahrtal – Climate, Resilience and Heritage
22 March – 24 March 2024, Aachen and Ahrtal

In 2021, the Ahrtal suffered severe flooding, which had a major impact on the lives of its inhabitants, the region and its cultural heritage and left them wounded. Climate science is increasingly pointing to the fact that the frequency and intensity of such storms will increase in the future. The flood also showed how vulnerable the built heritage is and how urgently the questions surrounding strengthening its resilience should be addressed and answered. It is important to address the negative consequences of climate change now in order to take timely measures for adaptation and prevention.

Using the example of the process and handling of the Nepomuk Bridge in Rech, the topic will be addressed in a three-day workshop. The aim is to give the next generation an insight into how complex and multi-layered the discourse surrounding the preservation of our heritage can be through discussion, on-site experiences in the Ahr Valley and presentations by experts. The workshop aims to raise awareness of the importance of heritage conservation and the challenges associated with the preservation of historic sites and structures due to the negative consequences of climate change. The aim is to identify and communicate best practices and strategies for the preservation of cultural heritage and to develop solutions for a future worth living.