"Banned for Building a Bridge: Lessons from Two Cities That Ignored Warnings"

The Cost of Ignoring UNESCO’s “Yellow Card” Is Severe
Dresden and Liverpool: Prioritizing “Development Logic” Led to Brand Decline
Professor Kim Chungho: “Impact Assessment Is an International Obligation, Not a Choice”
“No Precedent for Proceeding Against UNESCO’s Recommendation”

Everton New Stadium Design

The cities of Liverpool in the United Kingdom and Dresden in Germany both bear the painful record of having their World Heritage status revoked. The reason the Cultural Heritage Administration highlighted these cases at a press briefing on January 19 is clear: the title of World Heritage is not an "eternal crown" that, once bestowed, can never be taken away. The moment the convenience of development takes precedence over the "Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)" that is the essence of heritage, that honor can be stripped away at any time.

Dresden: Residents' Referendum vs. International Convention

The Dresden Elbe Valley became the first site in World Heritage history to have its status revoked in 2009. The reason was the construction of the four-lane Waldschloesschen Bridge, intended to ease urban traffic congestion. Professor Kang Dongjin of Kyungsung University explained, "At the time, UNESCO repeatedly warned that the bridge would sever the valley's continuous historic landscape, but the city of Dresden pushed ahead with construction, citing 'support from the residents' referendum' and 'traffic convenience' as domestic justifications."

Heo Min, Commissioner of the Cultural Heritage Administration, is giving opening remarks at the World Heritage Impact Assessment press briefing held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on January 19, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

UNESCO immediately designated the site as "Heritage in Danger," giving it a final chance. However, once the bridge was completed, the World Heritage status was revoked without hesitation. This is a painful example showing that international conventions cannot be ignored simply because domestic legal procedures have been completed.

Liverpool’s Decade of Stubbornness: The Outcome...

Liverpool faced a similar fate. Once a hub of maritime trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, the city clashed with UNESCO while pursuing the "Liverpool Waters" port redevelopment project. The developer insisted on constructing high-rise buildings, claiming it would revitalize the outdated port.

Professor Kang Dongjin analyzed, "Liverpool was given about a decade of 'Heritage in Danger' grace period from 2012, but refused to make fundamental changes to its plans, resulting in permanent delisting in 2021. This is a classic case of prioritizing economic logic and losing the greater value of a national brand."

Seoul Jongmyo Shrine and Sewoon District 4 Yonhap News

Professor Kim Chungho of the University of Seoul warned that Korea must not follow in these footsteps. Having research experience at ICCROM, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, an advisory body to UNESCO, he emphasized, "As a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, conducting a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is not an administrative option, but an international obligation that must be fulfilled." He added, "In fact, I have not seen any case in the international community where a project was pushed ahead without conducting an HIA when UNESCO requested one."

Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Vienna’s “Solomon Solution”

Some cities have overcome crises by actively embracing the HIA process. Vienna, Austria, is a representative example. Although the city was listed as "Heritage in Danger" in 2017 due to the Heumarkt Tower redevelopment project, it opted for a thorough HIA instead of unilateral action.

Professor Kim Jihong of Hanyang University’s Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation explained, "In Vienna's case, the HIA simulation objectively proved that the high-rise tower would damage the main viewpoint of Belvedere Palace. The Vienna authorities accepted these findings and submitted a revised design to UNESCO, lowering the building's height, and are now on the verge of having the 'Heritage in Danger' status lifted."

Jongmyo Shrine Designated as a World Heritage Site Yonhap News

The Cologne Cathedral in Germany also preserved its heritage status by significantly revising building plans on the opposite bank of the Rhine River. Professor Kim Jihong noted, "The common trait among successful cities is that they used the HIA not as a mere regulation, but as a tool to find the optimal design for the coexistence of heritage and development. Korea, too, must abandon the complacent attitude of 'surely it won’t be canceled' and adhere to international standards," he advised.