Built heritage protection and the citizen participation instruments – a case study of the roundhouse in Bydgoszcz

In the reality of private properties embedded in a free market economy, the very fact of providing an administrative protection to the building of special value can be problematic. The possibilities of challenging and revoking such decisions are often used by property owners. Conflicts between the conservator – a state administration official trying to provide legal protection to a monument – and the owner – an investor who pushes to achieve the intended investment goal regardless of the cultural value of the place – are extremely strong.

It is worth noting, however, that according to the provisions of Article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, the direct stakeholder of the preservation of the cultural heritage is the entire society. Therefore, it is worth analysing whether public opinion is considered during conflict situations related to the protection of built heritage.

To this end, a case study was conducted, that considered a conflict situation occurring during the procedure of entering the former tender building (roundhouse) into the Register of Immovable Monuments of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.