Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Collaborative governance and conflict management in transboundary protected areas for watercourses: insights from marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction

  Effective management of transboundary protected areas (TPAs) for watercourses hinges on collaborative governance, integrated ecosystem approaches, and broad stakeholder involvement. A study analyzing five TPAs—including the Fertö/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape—reveals that challenges such as conflicting governance systems and limited cooperation can be mitigated by adopting practices from marine protected areas (MPAs) beyond national jurisdiction. Strengthening governance structures, enhancing integrated management, and fostering stakeholder engagement are critical to conserving transboundary freshwater resources and serving the community of interest.

  Wang, J., & Qin, T. (2025). Collaborative governance and conflict management in transboundary protected areas for watercourses: insights from marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction. Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law, 43(4), 717–737. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2025.2539626

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• Communicating Cultural Heritage to Many and by Many

  A key threat to the communication of cultural heritage at the Fertő/Neusiedlersee UNESCO World Heritage site is the dynamic and uncooperative nature of actors involved, which undermines effective preservation and promotion. The study highlights that while multiculturalism is a defining value of this transnational landscape, its communication suffers due to disjointed efforts among stakeholders. Researchers analyzed both local heritage values and the roles of diverse cultural communities, revealing how fragmented collaboration hinders sustainable tourism and heritage education. This finding underscores the need for structured cooperation among actors to ensure meaningful engagement with and preservation of cultural landscapes.

  Harlov-Csortán, M. (2023). Communicating Cultural Heritage to Many and by Many. Combining Modern Communication Methods with Heritage Education, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-6217-1.ch001

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• A Single Past and Multiple Memory Techniques: Remembering the Cold War Period in the Cultural Landscape of the Hungarian Part of the Fertő/Neusiedlersee UNESCO World Heritage Site

  The Fertő/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape serves as a living testament to the Cold War's impact on Hungarian memory techniques. This study reveals how multiple layers of collective memory—shaped by political, social, and cultural forces—coexist within the landscape, reflecting both continuity and fragmentation in historical narratives. Researchers analyzed spatial and temporal dimensions of memory, identifying key sites (e.g., military installations, border zones) where Cold War legacies persist despite post-1989 transformations. The approach combines archival research, oral histories, and landscape analysis to demonstrate how memory techniques—such as monument preservation, commemoration, or erasure—shape public perception of the past. This finding underscores the landscape's role in mediating historical consciousness, offering insights into how UNESCO sites preserve and reinterpret contested histories.

  Harlov-Csortán, M. (2022). A Single Past and Multiple Memory Techniques: Remembering the Cold War Period in the Cultural Landscape of the Hungarian Part of the Fertő/Neusiedlersee UNESCO World Heritage Site. Auc Studia Territorialia, 21(2), 85–100. https://doi.org/10.14712/23363231.2022.5

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• Hallenbad Neusiedl am See

  A conceptual framework for preserving the cultural heritage value of the Hallenbad Neusiedl am See, a brutalist architectural landmark within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Fertö/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape, was developed through analytical assessment and expert evaluation. The study identified that while the building retains its original form after 40 years of use, it requires maintenance to meet contemporary functional demands without compromising its historical significance. The approach involved structural analysis of the building's design—distinguished by a visible concrete base and wooden superstructure—and an evaluation of its integration with the surrounding reed belt, achieved through a fragmented glass facade that blends interior and exterior spaces. This work provides actionable guidelines for conservation, balancing modern utility with preservation integrity.

  Malli, L. (2021). Hallenbad Neusiedl am See. TU Wien. https://doi.org/10.34726/HSS.2021.73701

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• lädierte Randl roadln Ansätze zum Umgang mit Siedlungsrändern im Welterbegebiet Fertö—Neusiedler See

  Existing criteria for preserving the universal value of the Fertö/Neusiedler See UNESCO World Heritage Site may require refinement, particularly regarding settlement boundaries. The study analyzes current planning instruments using newly defined criteria and evaluates their effectiveness in safeguarding the site's authenticity, which reflects 8,000 years of human-nature harmony. By focusing on two case studies—Rust and Oggau—the research proposes adjustments to protect traditional rural structures, such as those used for viticulture and livestock farming, while addressing recent developments that threaten the site's integrity. The findings aim to inform the revision of the management plan, ensuring long-term conservation of this culturally significant landscape.

  Jud, R. (2021). lädierte Randl roadln Ansätze zum Umgang mit Siedlungsrändern im Welterbegebiet Fertö—Neusiedler See. TU Wien. https://doi.org/10.34726/HSS.2021.94142

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• Neusiedler See – tourism as a part of architectural development : building criteria for the world heritage Site Fertö / Neusiedler See cultural landscape

  A future architectural framework for tourism development in the UNESCO-listed Fertö/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape is proposed, ensuring alignment with its exceptional universal value and preservation criteria. The study combines historical analysis of architecture and landscape influences with a review of existing infrastructure, drawing on the nomination dossier's key attributes—authenticity, integrity, and conservation requirements—to define typologies and design guidelines. This approach aims to balance innovation with regional adaptation, providing architects with evidence-based criteria for sustainable, culturally sensitive tourism development in this protected region.

  Gladysheva, D. (2020). Neusiedler See – tourism as a part of architectural development : building criteria for the world heritage Site Fertö / Neusiedler See cultural landscape. TU Wien. https://doi.org/10.34726/HSS.2020.79247

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