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EUROPEAN CONGRESS ON THE USE, MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF BUILDINGS OF HISTORICAL VALUE, MAY 2012
may 10
This congress, organised by the Burghauptmannschaft Österreich, with the motto of "born in the past, used today, preserved for the future" has as main objectives:
1. Enhancing technical expertise concerning the use, management and conservation of historically significant buildings
2. Raising public awareness with regard to conflicting interests between operators, users - monument protection
3. Creating economic added value by investing into buildings of historic value
4. Exchanging experiences between operators, users and partners
The programme can be found here
More information about fees and accommodation can be found here
Dates: 10 - 12 May 2012
Location: HOFBURG, Vienna
Contact person at the Congress Office: Luise Ogrisek
Telephone number: +43 1 53649-600,email
About the Burghauptmannschaft Österreich:
In 2000, the reorganisation of the Federal Building Construction Department culminated in the transfer of non-military state-owned properties from the Republic of Austria to the Federal Property Department Bundesimmobilien Ges m.b.H. (BIG). However, approximately 65 significant and unique historic buildings (e.g. Hofburg Vienna, Hofburg Innsbruck, Hohensalzburg Castle, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna State Opera, Schönbrunn Zoo) remained within the public sector, as they constitute Austria`s cultural heritage or have special significance for the Republic of Austria. As a result of this reorganisation, the Burghauptmannschaft in Vienna, which was then renamed Burghauptmannschaft Österreich (BHÖ), took charge of a considerable number of objects and its scope of responsibility increased. In very general terms, the BHÖ is now responsible for property administration and construction management of all those objects and properties in Austria which are owned by the Republic and administered by the Federal Ministry of Economy and Labour.
Experts at the BHÖ conserve the building structure as well as administer and protect the buildings in order to preserve this invaluable cultural heritage. Besides property management, the BHÖ also undertakes the entire construction management and a variety of extra services such as increased fire and object protection as well as administrative and cultural management (concerning inter alia protests, demonstrations in public places).Carrying out all these tasks alone, the BHÖ harnesses synergies and only by doing so can it ensure the best possible administration of these cultural assets.
These services cannot be contracted out to private firms for the following reasons: When carrying out any services, strict safety requirements apply for those buildings.
Furthermore, the services required are highly specific in nature and the costs they require on the free market are exceedingly high.
It is not appropriate to apply free market principles to judge the BHÖ in terms of professional object and property management. Instead, macroeconomic viewpoints and common interests need to be considered. Accordingly, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- By performing construction work, the BHÖ actively contributes to maintaining the cityscape (especially in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck), which, in turn, has positive effects on city tourism.)
- To a large extent, restoration and rehabilitation work cannot be accomplished by "regular" building companies, but need to be done by experts in architecture and restoration instead. In this regard, the BHÖ helps to keep small enterprises in business and old crafts alive and, thus, ensures employment opportunities in these niche segments of the industry.
