Wakker Prize facts for kids

The Wakker Prize is a special award given out every year by the Swiss Heritage Society. This society works to protect important buildings and places in Switzerland. The prize goes to a town or city in Switzerland that does an amazing job of taking care of its old buildings and developing its area in a smart way.

At first, the prize mostly honored towns that worked hard to save their historic old parts. More recently, the award also celebrates towns that develop their areas with a clear plan. This could mean finding a new use for an old factory building. Or it might be about successfully mixing new buildings with the old style of the town. In 2005, the prize was given to the Swiss Federal Railways. This was a special case because it was the Swiss Heritage Society's big anniversary. The prize is named after Henri-Louis Wakker. He was a banker who helped the Swiss Heritage Society a lot.

How Towns Win the Wakker Prize

To be considered for the Wakker Prize, towns need to show they are doing a great job in several areas:

• They must show clear, high-quality improvements to their town's look. These changes should also fit with modern times.
• Towns need to respect the old layout and style of their settlements. They should not just build over everything old.
• The town itself must set a good example. It should actively work to create buildings that are better than average in design.
• Good planning for the town's future is also very important. This helps guide how the town grows and changes.
• Finally, other things are also looked at. These include protecting the local area, being sustainable (eco-friendly), having good traffic plans, and offering a high quality of life for people living there.

Past Wakker Prize Winners

Here is a list of the towns and organizations that have won the Wakker Prize over the years:

See also

In Spanish: Premio Wakker para niños