Historic Town Expert Commission
The Graz Historic Town Expert Commission (Altstadtsachverständigenkommission, ASKV) is a collegial body consisting of eight members, eight substitute members and two legal counsels who are appointed by the Styrian Government for a period of five years. Reappointment is possible. The individual sending organisations nominate their respective representatives and delegate them to the Commission. The chairperson and their representative are appointed by the members of the Commission.
The ASVK is an advisory panel of experts. The Styrian State Law on the Preservation of the Historic Town of Graz 2008 stipulates that the Commission must be heard in building procedures for construction projects to be carried out within the protection zones as otherwise the building permit could be nullified.
It is the task of ASVK to raise awareness of the need for responsible, high-quality and professional design planning in the protected zones, regardless of the size of the project. This is ensured through continuous expert assessment practice.
The benchmark in terms of quality for the building to be appraised is the thorough consideration of the existing ensemble of buildings from a historical and art-historical perspective combined with an assessment of the architectural appeal. When new buildings are planned, they must meet the requirement of integration into the ensemble. The Commission will appraise how the new project "responds" to the environment by modelling its own identity on the existing appearance without copying it. Special attention shall be paid to the preservation of the distinctive roofscape of Graz.
The Styrian State Law on the Preservation of the Historic Town of Graz stipulates that the ASVK must be consulted in the following matters when the building authority draws up development plans and development guidelines:
- Densification of building mass to the maximum degree permitted in the zoning plan
- Development of residual areas and gaps between buildings
- Demolition of building stock that is no longer economically viable
- Development of inner courtyards
- Private installations in the public streets space
In all of the above, the goal is to preserve the character of an area in cooperation with the Municipal Planning Office within the meaning of the Urban Development Concept for Graz.