Old and New Walls : Perception and Communication of Cultural Heritage in Rural Eastern Germany

Like many rural and structurally weak areas worldwide, Eastern Germany faces the compounded effects of demographic decline, economic stagnation, and political radicalisation – developments which were intensified by the post-socialist transformation since reunification. This dissertation investigates the role of cultural heritage sites in such structurally weak areas, using four UNESCO World Heritage sites for a comparative case study. It analyses how heritage sites can strengthen their relationship with local communities to fulfil their societal mandate and contribute to regional development. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a quantitative survey with qualitative interviews and source analysis, connecting the perspectives of local residents with those of heritage managers to explore their views on the sites’ socio- political responsibilities. The findings reveal a widespread desire for heritage sites to adopt a more active role in fostering social cohesion, democratic engagement and inclusive participation. While their economic influence was considered limited by the local population, respondents ascribed significant emotional and societal value to the sites. The study identifies accessibility and participation as key mechanisms through which heritage institutions can counteract alienation and rebuild trust in democratic processes, often lacking in regions faced by structural challenges. The research further reflects the lingering political discontent in Eastern Germany, shaped by unfulfilled expectations of transformation. The study suggests that addressing these legacies is vital to revitalising public life and trust and building social cohesion. Cultural heritage sites can support this effort by understanding how the evolving memory cultures and (post-)socialist legacies still shape heritage perception today. Despite this, many heritage managers remain uncertain about how to address this past. The findings underscore the need for context-sensitive strategies in heritage management and cultural policy and may inform the work of practitioners in other xiv regions shaped by structura challenges or major societal transformations.