The concentrative camp under consideration for conversion to a memorial park had two major roles; first the camp was used as a “concentration camp” that had the major role of confining detainees, for the major reason of using their labor resource. The camp was also used as a “special camp” whose major role was to break the contact and communication of the detainees with the outside world (Niven 2002, 142).
The first step is to examine the infrastructure and physical structures within this camp; with the view to account for the usage of the available infrastructure and the construction of new structures to be built if need be. The camp is covered by a road network; has a railway line; is fenced; has watch towers; and has buildings that were used as prisoner’s barracks, infirmaries, and grave pits (Niven 2002, 142).
To start with; an analysis of the available facilities will be carried out to find out their weaknesses and strengths. The weaknesses include wear out due to the age of the infrastructure, which will be addressed through administering repairs and reconstruction where necessary. The strengths include the strategic layout of the camp and the location within an urban area; where there is availability of transport services and an expansive area that is capable of accommodating a large number of visitors (Webster 2008, 47).
The changes and alterations that include repairs will be affected while still preserving the aesthetic value of the present layout of the park. Some of the changes include the removal of the outer walls of the camp; so as to allow the site to accommodate more people, and to improve levels of visibility. Some of the halls within this site will be converted to public attendance places like shops, cafes, sporting grounds, museums, information centers and recreational grounds; so as to ensure that the time spent in this site will allow for the comfort of the site’s visitors (Ulrich 1998, 56).
To be taken into account; is the consideration of the recreational facilities embraced by the people living around this area, that will serve as a means of attraction to the local visitors. This aspect also has the view of ensuring that the support of the members of the community is achieved; that may enhance or deter the success of the plan. The other view is that the plan should be administered very creatively; so as to ensure that it meets the role it is supposed to play as a memorial park, to the local and foreign visitors. This will be achieved by ensuring that the features that the memories in question are attached to; remain as expected so as to avoid creating a negative perception from the visitors. Some of the features that may have such memories attached to them include burial sites; where family and friends may pay their respects to their loved ones at (Norbert 2002, 46).
Also to be put into place is a statue representative of the sufferings that the victims went through; the leadership that executed the inhuman treatment and the freedom attained but with the shed of blood and sacrifice of the lives of loyal victims. Also to be put into consideration is the date when the commemoration of the memories related to the site would be administered. This aspect will be employed after extensive consultation with the national authorities; so as to avoid clash of activities as to ensure that the timing set is favorable for the interests of the different parties to be involved (Niven 2002, 142).
Another pointer towards the conversion of the site into a memorial site; includes the possibility that the memorial park may be a useful tool towards studies and research, to be carried out concerning the criminal activities that used to take place in the camp. As a result, this may place the need to preserve certain features like grave sites and execution structures. The preservation of these features may also be important in increasing the tourist attraction sites available; that may also be a chief source of foreign income to the nation at large (Knuth 1981, 67).
One of the buildings within the camp; will be rejuvenated for the purpose of carrying out commemoration services, and addressing the visitors who need to get information regarding the different detainment sites. This site will play the role of an information centre; regarding the different sites, activities and times of the oppressive activities of the various camps. The site will also house recreational facilities that should be administered to the visitors at this site; with the major purpose of increasing the number of people that visit this information site. Some of the recreational services that would be provided within this memorial site; include holiday services and dog walking (Jay 1974, 80).
Some of the issues and challenges that are expected to face the project plan include; the lack of or failure to formulate a clear scope of activities for the project. This is the case because the clear project plan will be useful in getting funds from the government, and support from the members of the public. The other problem that may arise along the success of the plan; is the effect of shifting organizational priorities due to the changing needs and the demands of the society. This problem can affect the project in that; the government or the public may think of an alternative use for the camp, or the government may be faced by a crisis that may not allow it to finance the plan. The other challenges that may result in the failure of the project; include the lack of a system to manage project changes, that may result from the shortage of the funds available and the increased cost of labor or resources to be used. Another issue that can be addressed to avoid the failure of the plan; is the imparting of project management skills, in the project sponsors and the different individuals involved in the project execution (Jay 1990, 67).
Bibliography
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Webster, Adam. Coping with the Nazi Past: West German Debates on Nazism and Generational Conflict. Review of Gassert, Philipp, Steinways, & Alan E. 1955-1975. H-German: H-Net Reviews, 2008.