Speer revived (and would incorrectly claim credit for inventing) the concept of "ruin value": that major buildings should be constructed in such a way they would leave aesthetically pleasing ruins for thousands of years into the future.
Samtidig med at han planlagde det, opfandt Speer begrebet "ruinværdi", dvs. at store bygninger skulle bygges på en sådan måde, at de ville efterlade æstetiske ruiner i tusinder af år.