Preservation Efforts Persist for Dusseldorf's Gas Lamps Remain Strong
Düsseldorf Gaslight Preservation Initiative Elevates Concerns Over Potential Elimination of Historical Gas Lamps
On the evening of August 24, the Düsseldorf Gaslight Initiative gathered concerned citizens at Maxhaus, expressing fears of the restoration of heritage protection for the city's gas lighting infrastructure. The administration's impending decision, due as early as September 7, may spell the end for gas lighting in the city.
Cost-effectiveness and climate protection concerns have instigated a renewed discussion surrounding the maintenance of gas lamps in Düsseldorf. The city council is set to review a draft resolution, raising uncertainty among local residents who consider gas lamps an integral part of the city's identity.
The administration has devised three possible scenarios for the future of the gas lamps, encompassing complete preservation, partial preservation, or complete removal. These options were evaluated based on energy consumption, operational expenses, CO2 emissions, and investment costs.
The Düsseldorf Gaslight Initiative blasted the administration's justification of climate protection, contending that the demolition of the city's gas lamps would cost a substantial amount and provide minimal impact on climate change. They argued that a comparable outcome could be attained through photovoltaic installation at a significantly lower cost.
Lutz Cleffmann, a spokesperson for the initiative, emphasized that preserving gas lamps symbolically would actually worsen the climate situation. Meanwhile, theadministration is pressing for a resolution, as the conversion to H-gas is fast approaching, necessitating timely action.
However, the initiative argues that not all gas lamps need to be replaced within the short term. Only the heads of the lamps affected by the H-gas conversion need refurbishing, with replacement being necessary solely upon damage occurrence. The initiative approximates the costs for these modifications to amount to approximately 30% of the city administration's reported exchange requirement.
In the administration's draft, it acknowledges the higher failure rate of gas lamps compared to electric lamps but emphasizes the historical significance of Düsseldorf's gas lighting. Representatives of the Rheinischer Verein für Denkmalpflege und Landschaftsschutz (RVDL) and industry historian Prof. Dr. Horst A. Wessel highlighted the historical value of Düsseldorf's gas lighting, with a reduction in the number of gas lamps heavily influencing potential future involvement in the gas lighting industry.
Despite the current uncertainty, Düsseldorf continues to uphold a commitment to preserving its gas lighting, having one of the largest networks of such infrastructure globally. As of 2020, approximately 14,000 gas lamps are operational, with plans to retain at least 10,000, making Düsseldorf second only to Berlin in terms of gas lighting maintenance. Maintaining these historic gas lamps supports the city's cultural heritage and adds to its unique historic atmosphere.
The Düsseldorf Gaslight Initiative suggests that the conversion to H-gas could be delayed, focusing initially on refurbishing only damaged gas lamp heads and replacing them only upon need, to save costs and maintain the historical value of outdoor-living in the city's home-and-garden spaces. Meanwhile, the administration's draft resolution, emphasizing the historical significance of Düsseldorf's gas lighting, hopes to preserve at least 10,000 gas lamps to uphold the city's lifestyle and unique cultural heritage.
