Präventives Monitoring als Beitrag zur Stärkung des Welterbeschutzes: das österreichische Modell im internationalen Kontext

Abstract

Preventive Monitoring as a Contribution to Strengthening World Heritage Protection: the Austrian Model in an International Context Preventive monitoring is a complementary tool for the protection of World Heritage sites that has been discussed and developed within ICOMOS since the 2000s. Initial approaches were tested and further developed in parallel by ICOMOS Ger- many and ICOMOS Austria from 2007 onwards. In Austria, preventive monitoring has been systema- tically used by the ICOMOS Austria monitoring group since 2018. It is intended as advisory and independent expert support for States Parties and site management, with the aim of identifying risks to the Outstanding Universal Value at an early stage and supporting decision-making bodies in the implementation of the World Heritage Conven- tion. The article explains the origins, methodology and application of the Austrian model, discusses its integration into the existing tools of the World Heritage Convention, and reflects on prospects for its possible international establishment.