Protest against 50-meter high-rise: Pastor sees Cologne Cathedral threatened!

Protest against 50-meter high-rise: Pastor sees Cologne Cathedral threatened!

Schildergasse, 50667 Köln, Deutschland - A storm of indignation brews itself over Cologne! While City Church Pastor Markus Herzberg enjoys his vacation in the Canaries, he learns the shocking news: a planned 50-meter high-rise building could threaten its church, the Antonitekirche, in close proximity. "It doesn't exist!" He thought at breakfast and now has to live with this worrying performance.

The Antonite Church, located right next to the magnificent cosmopolitan house of the Italian star architect Renzo Piano, is now facing another building that contradicts the municipal height. Since 2007 it has been stipulated that new buildings in Cologne city center must not be higher than 22.5 meters to protect the majestic Cologne Cathedral. But the new plans that a 50-meter high-rise provide for ignore this rule and could change the cityscape and the historical backdrop.

urban development or high-rise alb dream?

The high -rise should offer new offices, gastronomy and an event hall as part of an initiative to revive the city center. But Pastor Herzberg is skeptical: "I doubt that you can solve the problems with a high -rise building," he warns, pointing out the dangers that such a building could bring with it. Annett Polster, Managing Director of Stadtmarketing Cologne, sees the potential of the cosmopolitan city and believes that the new plans will increase the attractiveness of the location.

Andreas Hupke from the Greens, district mayor of the Cologne city center, clearly comments against the plans. He was present in the crucial discussions and feared that the approval of the high -rise could create a dangerous precedent. "If this high-rise is approved by the council, this could be a precedent for all the dilapidated 50s buildings," he warns and draws a dark picture of a possible "little Manhattan" near Cologne Cathedral. The city administration will now advance the plans, but the city council ultimately has to agree. The tension increases - will Cologne preserve its historical appearance or indulge in the high -rise craze?