Publications
Methodologies for the valorisation of research applied to the fortified heritage. The INFORTREAT project
A dynamic digital infrastructure has been developed to valorise and disseminate research outputs on fortified heritage, particularly focusing on the study of architectural treatises and fortifications. This system, known as information architecture (IA), facilitates cross-searches by multiple keywords, enabling the extraction of data from various sources and authors. The platform integrates both objective data and interpretations derived from in-depth studies, simplifying access to materials and fostering disciplinary relationships among historical treatises. Designed with flexibility for future expansion, the system supports ongoing investigations and active participation from the scientific community, mirroring the adaptability of the fortifications it studies.
Fortress Europe
European peace and security following Napoleon were underpinned by extensive fortification systems, particularly in France and Belgium. A key insight is the diminishing fear of French aggression by 1818, exemplified by King Willem I's refusal to fund Prussian fortifications in Luxembourg without significant repercussions. The study examines the economic and political challenges of maintaining these forts, highlighting corruption and escalating costs. Notably, the 'Wellington Barrier' in Belgium was dismantled in 1839 due to its prohibitive maintenance expenses and the Belgian army's inability to defend it alone, with exceptions like the National Redoubt in Antwerp. The research underscores the shift from militarization to industrialization and urban expansion as priorities.
Relational Cities Disrupted: Reflections on the Particular Geographies of COVID‐19 For Small But Global Urbanisation in Dublin, Ireland, and Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Small but highly globalized cities, such as financial centers or hubs of politics and diplomacy, experience unique disruptions during crises like COVID-19. These cities, shaped by relational urbanization—where international connections drive growth through extraverted policies—face unprecedented challenges that reshape their development trajectories. A study analyzing Dublin, Ireland, and Luxembourg City reveals that while both cities thrived due to globalization, the pandemic's lockdowns have disrupted their 'old normal,' making a return unlikely. Instead, these cities may adapt toward greater state intervention in areas previously governed by markets, suggesting alternative geographies for their future growth.
Staging the Nation in an Intermediate Space: Cultural Policy in Luxembourg and the State Museums (1918-1974)
Luxembourg's cultural policy from the 1920s to the early 1970s reflects its unique status as a 'nationalised intermediate space,' balancing national identity with foreign influences. The study reveals three distinct yet interconnected periods: nation-building in the interwar era, the disruptive Nazi occupation (1940-1944), and post-war reconstruction, marked by conservative policies. It highlights tensions between national identity and external cultural references, particularly in state museums, which evolved from nation-building symbols to ambiguous tools under occupation and cautious custodians of history post-war. The research employs Philip Ther's concept of Zwischenraum (intermediate space) to frame Luxembourg's cultural policy, analyzing structures, actors, and discourses across these periods.
Beloved Heritage – Condemned Heritage. About the handling of fortification heritage within the border region Germany-France-Luxembourg
The transborder region of Saar-Lor-Lux, spanning Germany, France, and Luxembourg, boasts over 600 fortified structures that vividly illustrate the evolution of military architecture. A striking contrast emerges in how these fortifications are perceived: while France and Luxembourg cherish them as valuable cultural heritage—with several sites, including Luxembourg's citadel, listed by UNESCO—they face neglect or negative perception in Germany. This study examines this disparity, revealing a missed opportunity for cross-border cultural recognition and tourism development. By analyzing the treatment of fortified heritage across the region, the research identifies potential measures to enhance their preservation and utilization, fostering transnational collaboration.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications